Temperature is an important factor to impact seed germination. Under the background of climate warming and grassland degradation,it includes great value to understand temperature change on seed germination of Stipa purpurea. In the present study, six constant temperature conditions (5, 10,15,20,25,and 30 ℃) and three variable temperature conditions (5/15, 10/20, and 15/25 ℃) were set to systematically detect the effects of temperatures on seed germination characteristics of Stipa purpurea from three different populations. The results showed that the more suitable seed germination temperature of S. purpurea ranged from 15 to 25 ℃, and temperatures lower than 10 ℃ or higher than 30 ℃ would not be conducive to seed germination. Compared to the corresponding constant temperatures, variable temperature conditions had no effects on promoting seed germination of S. purpurea. Seed germination characteristics of S. purpurea from different populations responded to temperature change with both same and different points. Correlation analysis revealed that altitude showed highly significant negative correlation with the germination rate, whereas soil temperature of seed germination seasons in the field had significant negative correlation with seed germination delay. This study will provide a scientific basis for reasonable protection and restoration of S. purpurea meadow.