This study is part of research to develop the technology for managing major medicinal crops after harvest. We studied the optimal germination conditions of $Cynanchum$ $wilfordii$ (Maxim.) Hemsl. The mean germination time (MGT) of $C.$ $wilfordii$ seeds was higher after soaking for 4 days after storage at $5^{circ}C$ for 8 weeks, than with germination at $25^{circ}C$ (3 days). However, the germinative energy (GE) decreased as the number of days soaking increased. The greatest germination rate ($83.3{pm}8.8%$) was at $25^{circ}C$ with no soaking of seeds stored at $-20^{circ}C$ for 8 weeks. Based on these results, we characterized the germination conditions of a major medicinal crop.