What hardiness zones is Magnolia grandiflora suitable for?

Magnolia grandiflora is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.

What are the sun requirements for Magnolia grandiflora?

Magnolia grandiflora requires Full Sun.

How much water does Magnolia grandiflora need?

Magnolia grandiflora has Medium water needs.

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Broadleaf Evergreen Trees

Magnolia grandiflora

southern magnolia

Magnoliaceae

Southeastern United States from Virginia to central Florida, west along the Gulf Coast to east Texas

At a Glance

TypeTree

HabitUpright

FoliageEvergreen

Height40-80 feet (12-24 m)

Width30-50 feet (9-15 m)

Maturity25 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

6 - 10

Zone 6

Zone 7

Zone 8

Zone 9

Zone 10

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators

Deer Resistant

Drought Tolerant

Fragrant (strong)

Native to North America

Maintenancemoderate

Overview

A large broadleaf evergreen tree reaching 40-80 feet (12-24 m) tall and 30-50 feet (9-15 m) wide at maturity in its native range, though typically smaller — 20-40 feet (6-12 m) tall — in Pacific Northwest cultivation due to cooler summers. Growth rate is moderate, adding 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) per year in favorable conditions. Leaves are alternate, simple, elliptical to obovate, 5-10 inches (13-25 cm) long and 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) wide, thick and leathery, with a glossy dark green upper surface and a distinctive rusty-brown to cinnamon tomentum on the underside. Leaves persist for approximately 2 years before dropping; the tree sheds older interior leaves year-round, with heaviest leaf drop in spring. Flowers are solitary, terminal, cup-shaped, 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) across, with 6-12 thick, waxy, creamy-white petals. Flowers open sequentially over a period of several weeks from late May through July, with individual blooms lasting 2-3 days. Fragrance is strong, sweet, and lemony, detectable from 15-20 feet (4.5-6 m). Fruit is an aggregate cone-like structure 3-5 inches (8-13 cm) long, green maturing to rusty-brown, splitting open in fall to reveal bright red seeds suspended on thin threads. Bark is smooth and gray on young trees, becoming scaly and fissured on mature trunks. The dense canopy and year-round leaf litter make it difficult to grow turf or other plants beneath established trees. Lower branches sweep to the ground unless limbed up. Hardy to approximately 0-10°F (-18 to -12°C); cultivars vary in cold hardiness.

Native Range

Native to the southeastern United States from Virginia south to central Florida and west along the Gulf Coast to east Texas. Found naturally in moist, lowland forests, river bottomlands, and along coastal plains from near sea level to approximately 500 feet (150 m) elevation, often in association with Quercus virginiana, Taxodium distichum, and Pinus taeda.

Suggested Uses

Commonly planted as a large specimen or shade tree in parks, large gardens, and institutional landscapes. Requires significant space; not suitable for small residential lots due to mature spread, surface roots, and litter. Compact cultivars such as 'Little Gem' and 'Teddy Bear' are available for smaller spaces, reaching 15-25 feet (4.5-7.5 m). Tolerates urban pollution. Not suitable for containers at mature size.

How to Identify

Unmistakable among southeastern trees by the combination of large, glossy, leathery evergreen leaves 5-10 inches (13-25 cm) long with rusty-brown felted undersides and very large, creamy-white, fragrant flowers 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) across. The cone-like aggregate fruit 3-5 inches (8-13 cm) long with bright red seeds is diagnostic in fall. Smooth gray bark becomes scaly on older trunks. Distinguished from Magnolia virginiana (sweetbay magnolia) by the substantially larger leaf size, rusty-brown (vs. silver-white) leaf undersides, and much larger flowers.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height40' - 80'

Width/Spread30' - 50'

Reaches mature size in approximately 25 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

cream

Foliage Colors

dark green

brown

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks

SpringSummer

Flowers from late May through July in USDA zones 7-9, with individual blooms opening sequentially over 4-8 weeks. In cooler zones (6-7), bloom may begin in June and be sparser. Individual flowers last 2-3 days, opening white and aging to cream before the petals drop. Peak fragrance occurs on the first day of opening. Cone-like fruit structures ripen in September to October, splitting to reveal bright red seeds. Young trees may take 10-15 years to begin flowering.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Creamy-white

Foliage Description

Glossy dark green upper surface; rusty-brown to cinnamon tomentum underside

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Partial Shade

Requires 4-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.0 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loamclaysand

Drainage

well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

15-25 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 5.0-7.0) in full sun to partial shade. Water regularly during the first two to three growing seasons to establish a deep root system; established trees tolerate moderate drought but perform better with consistent moisture. Mulch the root zone with 3-4 inches (8-10 cm) of organic material, extending to the drip line or beyond; avoid planting groundcovers or turf under the canopy, as the dense shade, surface roots, and year-round leaf litter make understory plantings difficult. Year-round leaf drop, concentrated in spring, produces significant litter that requires management; the thick, leathery leaves decompose slowly. Scale insects (magnolia scale) may colonize stems; treat with horticultural oil in late winter. Leaf spot diseases are generally cosmetic. In zones 6-7, plant in a sheltered location away from cold, drying winter winds; south- or west-facing sites with building protection are ideal.

Pruning

Prune in late spring after the spring growth flush. Minimal pruning is required for trees grown as specimens. Remove lower branches gradually over several years if a clear trunk is desired, though the natural low-branching form is characteristic of the species. Remove dead, crossing, or damaged limbs at any time. Does not respond well to topping or severe heading cuts; maintain the natural pyramidal form. Large wounds heal slowly and may be entry points for decay. Branches of 3 inches (8 cm) diameter or larger should be pruned using proper three-cut technique to prevent bark tearing.

Pruning Schedule

late spring

Maintenance Level

moderate

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic