Abstract: TTC staining, BTB indicator staining and red ink staining were used respectively to evaluate seed viability of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis from five habitats. Influences of culture bed (vermiculite, gauze, paper, sand) and temperatures (30,25,20,15mtemperature and 30/20, 25/15 variable temperature) on the germination rate were examined, and germination conditions were optimized to investigate the optimal seed viability test methods and the relationship between seed viability and germination rate for Gardenia jasminoides Ellis. The results showed that BTB indicator method is the best one for seed viability determination, and the filter bed is the best medium in seeds germinateon. Gardenia seeds could reach the highest germination rate when they are incubated at 30 益. Since the correlation coefficient is 0.979 for viability determined by BTB indicator and germination rate of gardenia seed, a significant positive correlation was proposed for gardenia seed viability(X) and germination rate(Y), and the regression equation was Y =1.219X-0.199.