The decline in rice production in Côte d’Ivoire in recent years is partly due to the poor condition of seeds at the time of planting. In this context of climate change, it is important to explore other alternatives for higher production. The aim of this study is to understand the physiological mechanisms involved in the growth of rice plants from primed seeds. Seeds of rice variety C26 (Oryza sativa) were primed in different solutions and grown under rainfed and rainfed lowland conditions. Treatments included control, water priming, sucrose priming and NaCl priming. Seeds primed with water and sucrose favored rice plant growth. The number of leaves under these conditions varied from 20 to 53. Plant height and number of tillers varied from 15 to 45 cm and from 5 to 12 tillers respectively. Seeds treated with NaCl showed the lowest values. Photosynthetic pigment levels were highest in plants growing under rain-fed conditions between the 4th and 7th weeks after planting. As for phenolic compound content, it was higher in growing plants in the lowland system and lower in rainfed conditions. Rice seed priming improved plant growth. The C26 rice variety is better adapted to lowland conditions.