Magnolia Tree Plant Care

Magnolia Tree (Magnolia grandiflora) belongs to the Magnoliaceae family within the Magnolia genus. Magnolia Tree is native to the Southeastern United States, from Virginia to central Florida, and west to East Texas. Magnolia Tree is also known as Southern Magnolia, Bull Bay, Evergreen Magnolia.

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

Leaf size: approximately 8 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Magnolia Tree 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.

Magnolia Tree thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Magnolia grandiflora tolerates temperatures of 0–100°F. Magnolia Tree prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

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

Feed Magnolia Tree 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.

Magnolia Tree is suited to USDA Zone 7a – 10a.

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.

Magnolia Tree 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 Magnolia Tree 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.

Magnolia Tree is hardy down to USDA zone 7a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown trees need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

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

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

Magnolia Tree 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.

Magnolia Tree grows outdoors in USDA Zone 7a – 10a. It survives winters down to planting zone 7a. Magnolia Tree is native to the Southeastern United States, from Virginia to central Florida, and west to East Texas.