Champion's Magnolia Plant Care

Champion's Magnolia (Magnolia championii) belongs to the Magnoliaceae family within the Magnolia genus. Champion's Magnolia is native to Hong Kong, Guangdong and northern Vietnam, at altitudes from 500 to 1,000 meters above the sea level. Champion's Magnolia is also known as Southern Magnolia.

Champion's Magnolia displays a large, deciduous tree growth habit, reaching up to 30 ft tall with a spread of approximately 25 ft. Champion's Magnolia produces large, fragrant flowers in various colors like white, pink, or purple.

Leaf size: approximately 8 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Champion's Magnolia every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Champion's Magnolia thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Magnolia championii tolerates temperatures of 20–100°F. Champion's Magnolia prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Rich, well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Champion's Magnolia to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Champion's Magnolia every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and rich, well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Champion's Magnolia is suited to USDA Zone 9a – 11b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Champion's Magnolia can spread to about 25 ft (7.6 m) and reach about 30 ft (9 m) tall. Space plants about 25 ft (7.6 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Champion's Magnolia while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Champion's Magnolia is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 9). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Champion's Magnolia can be propagated through seeds, softwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to coco magnolia plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Champion's Magnolia is susceptible to scale insects, aphids, caterpillars. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Champion's Magnolia grows outdoors in USDA Zone 9a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 9a. Champion's Magnolia is native to Hong Kong, Guangdong and northern Vietnam, at altitudes from 500 to 1,000 meters above the sea level. In cooler regions, grow Champion's Magnolia as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.