Background and Aims Branching is an important mechanism of plant shape establishment and the direct consequence of axillary bud outgrowth. Recently, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) metabolism, known to be involved in plant growth and development, has been proposed to contribute to axillary bud outgrowth. However, the involvement of H2O2 in this process remains unclear. • Methods We analysed the content of H2O2 during bud outgrowth and characterized its catabolism, both at the transcriptional level and in terms of its enzymatic activities, using RT–qPCR and spectrophotometric methods, respectively. In addition, we used in vitro culture to characterize the effects of H2O2 application and the reduced glutathione (GSH) synthesis inhibitor l-buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) on bud outgrowth in relation to known molecular markers involved in this process. • Key Results Quiescent buds displayed a high content of H2O2 that declined when bud outgrowth was initiated as the consequence of an increase in the scavenging activity that is associated with glutathione pathways (ascorbate–glutathione cycle and glutathione biosynthesis); catalase did not appear to be implicated. Modification of bud redox state after the application of H2O2 or BSO prevented axillary bud outgrowth by repressing organogenesis and newly formed axis elongation. Hydrogen peroxide also repressed bud outgrowth-associated marker gene expression. • Conclusions These results show that high levels of H2O2 in buds that are in a quiescent state prevents bud outgrowth. Induction of ascorbate–glutathione pathway scavenging activities results in a strong decrease in H2O2 content in buds, which finally allows bud outgrowth.