【Objective】The present experiment was conducted to study the vitality of Papaver somniferum L. seeds stored for different durations in order to provide scientific basis for resource preservation. 【Method】The germination potential， germination rate and simplified vigor index of 14 Papaver somniferum L. seeds， collected from 1995-2007， were determined under different storage conditions. 【Result】Seeds of variety Yingsu 1 showed higher vitality than that of Yingsu 2 under natural condition. After ten years of storage， the germination rate of Yingsu 2 was recorded as less than 60%. The seeds stored in refrigerator at 4 and -18℃ showed a significant decrease in vitality. 【Conclusion】Under ordinary conditions， the germination potential， germination rate and simplified vigor index decreased with increasing storage time， however， under similar storage duration， the vitality of Yingsu 1 showed higher vitality of seeds in comparison to Yingsu 2.