Abstract: Harvesting time affects the quality of Zanthoxylum bungeanum seeds. Determining the optimum harvesting time can ensure the quality of Zanthoxylum bungeanum seeds and improve economic benefits. Taking 10-year-old Zanthoxylum bungeanum var. Dahongpao in Maoxian county as test material, studies were made of the 1 000-grain weight, embryo development and germination of seeds at different harvesting stages. The results showed that the germination rates of Zanthoxylum bungeanum seeds at different harvesting stages were significantly different. The germination rates of Zanthoxylum bungeanum seeds in late July, early August and mid-August were higher, with 1 000-grain weight of 20.958 g, 23.719 g and 21.646 g, embryonic rate of 47.7%, 58.7% and 57.6% respectively, while the germination rates in early and mid-August were higher, with 33.5% and 32.7% respectively. Therefore, the best harvest time of commercial seeds should be from late July to mid August, and seedling seeds should be from late July to early August.Zanthoxylum bungeanum seeds in late July and early August were higher. The 1 000-grain weight was 20.958 g and 23.719 g, the embryonic rate was 47.7%, 58.7% and the germination rate was 8.5% and 33.5% respectively. Therefore, the optimum harvesting time was determined to be from late July to mid August.