Zanthoxylum motuoense is a characteristic spice plant produced in Metok, Tibet, with high economic value and development potential, but the lack of seedlings is the main factor restricting its industrialization development. Therefore, it is very important to solve the problem of artificial breeding of Z. motuoense. As a common method to expand seedlings, the seed planting method has the advantages of high propagation coefficient, convenient operation and convenient transportation and storage, which is more conducive to the application of production practice. The seeds of Z. motuoense has dormancy characteristics, and it is difficult to germinate under natural seeding condition. Therefore, it is imperative to explore the dormancy characteristics, germination limiting factors and methods to break seed dormancy of Z. motuoense seeds to provide scientific basis for the production of Z. motuoense seedlings. Using Z. motuoense seeds as materials, the reasons of dormancy, dormancy types and methods to break dormancy were studied by water absorption and germination inhibitors, low temperature stratification, chemical immersion. The seed coat was thick, the outer layer was smooth oil layer, and the seed empty shell rate was 25.67%. The seed coat had obvious mechanical hindrance to the water absorption of seeds. Both the methanol extract from the intact seeds and seed coat of Z. motuoense had inhibitory effect on the germination of Brassica pekinensis seeds, and the inhibition degree of the methanol extract from the intact seeds was higher than that of the seed coat, indicating that the embryo and endosperm had germination inhibitors. Under appropriate temperature conditions, the combination of concentrated sulfuric acid + GA₃ could effectively break the dormancy of the seeds. Among them, the highest germination rate was 83.33% by soaking in concentrated sulfuric acid for 10 min + 1500 mg/L GA₃ soaking for 48 h + constant temperature culture at 30 ℃. Under the constant temperature of 30 ℃, the seed germination effect was better than that of 25 ℃ and 15 ℃/25 ℃. Conclusion: Water absorption barrier caused by seed coat and the endogenous inhibitors in the seeds are the main reasons for seed dormancy, and its dormancy type belongs to compound dormancy (PY+PD). Concentrated sulfuric acid treatment for 10 min + 1500 mg/L GA₃ soaking seeds for 48 h + 30 ℃ constant temperature culture can effectively break seed dormancy and improve seed germination rate.