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Plant-derived smoke enhances seed germination for numerous species, but the effect of smoke can vary with germination conditions and seed dormancy state. A highly variable germination response to the active compound(s) of smoke has been published in the literature for the annual weed Sisymbrium orientaleL. In a laboratory experiment, we tested the effect of an aqueous smoke solution (smoke–water) on the seed germination of S. orientaleafter 2 and 13 months of dry storage (in August 2013 and 2014, respectively) at room temperature under alternating light and constant darkness. It was hypothesized that smoke–water enhances germination, but the smoke response varies with light or dark condition. At both germination dates, smoke–water treatment consistently increased the final germination percentage under both light conditions: from 54–66 % to 82–84 % in the light and from 73–77 % to 92–99 % in the dark. Germination was higher in the dark than in the light, irrespective of smoke–water treatment. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating a positive germination response of S. orientaleto smoke–water. These results can improve our understanding of the smoke responsiveness for this species, and can potentially increase the efficiency of weed management.