Southern Magnolia
Magnolia grandiflora
A large evergreen tree featuring large, dark green leathery leaves with rusty-brown undersides, and prominent, fragrant white flowers.
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade, ideally 6 or more hours of direct sunlight daily
- Water
- Requires moderate watering, about once a week once established; drought tolerant for short periods but performs best with consistent moisture
- Growth
- Perennial large evergreen tree with a pyramidal to rounded growth habit, reaching mature heights of 60 to 80 feet and a spread of 30 to 50 feet with a slow to moderate growth rate
Care instructions
Provide full sun to partial shade, water regularly when young to establish a deep root system, and plant in rich, well-draining acidic soil. Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer in spring.
Growing details
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade, ideally 6 or more hours of direct sunlight daily
Watering
Requires moderate watering, about once a week once established; drought tolerant for short periods but performs best with consistent moisture
Soil
Prefers rich, moist, organic-rich soils with good drainage and an acidic to neutral pH range of 5.0 to 6.5
Hardiness zone
USDA Hardiness Zones 6 through 9
Growth habit
Perennial large evergreen tree with a pyramidal to rounded growth habit, reaching mature heights of 60 to 80 feet and a spread of 30 to 50 feet with a slow to moderate growth rate
Bloom season
Late spring through summer, producing large, cup-shaped, highly fragrant white flowers measuring up to 12 inches across
Propagation
Propagated primarily through semi-hardwood cuttings taken in summer or by seed stratified in cold conditions
Common pests & issues
Generally resilient, but may occasionally experience issues with scale insects, leaf spots, and powdery mildew, which can be managed with proper air circulation and standard horticultural treatments
Similar species
Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana), which has smaller leaves with silvery-white undersides and is more tolerant of wet soils