This study focus on improving the germination rate of seeds of Forsythia suspensa, which has rigid seed coat, long germination time under natural conditions. Four chemical methods including pH value, potassium permanganate, IAA and hydrogen peroxide were used to pretreat the Forsythia suspensa seeds, providing a basis for improving the seed germination rate. The germination rate of Forsythia suspensa seeds pretreated with pH=8 was about 21% higher than the control group, and the germination index was 1.14 times higher than the control group. Low concentration of potassium permanganate, hydrogen peroxide and IAA solution pretreatment promoted seed germination, high concentration inhibited seed germination. After pretreatment with 0.1 g/L potassium permanganate solution, the germination capacity of Forsythia suspensa seeds was improved to the maximum, and the germination rate,germination energy and germination index were increased by 31.58%, 61.67% and 37.69%, respectively.The germination rate of Forsythia suspensa seeds was 26.32% higher, the germination energy was 53.33% higher and the germination index was 32.68% higher than the control. After 1% hydrogen peroxide pretreatment, the germination rate of the Forsythia suspensa seeds was 24.74% higher, the germination energy was 31.68% higher, and the germination index was 26.08% higher than the control.