Southern Magnolia trees: noble, evergreen, hardy, and absolutely gorgeous. Whenever I am driving through our cities and looking at our landscapes, the true tree standout always seems to be the magnolia trees. We started a whole company revolving around them because we think they’re so great. Whether you’re a veteran gardener or a first time magnolia enthusiast, here’s our professional take on the most common questions we get about Southern Magnolia tree care. After witnessing many of the issues listed below we've come up with ideas and solutions that might help you grow your favorite magnolia tree!
As always, if you have additional questions, please reach out! You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and even Youtube. Drop us a DM, leave a comment, send us an email, or even give us a call! We’re here to help you (and your trees) bloom.
Where is the best spot to plant a Southern Magnolia?
According to our 20 years of experience and USDA guidelines, magnolias are happiest in areas that get full sun and have good drainage. Full sun means at least 5-6 hours of direct sunlight a day. When it rains, you want your tree to be in an area that doesn’t get left with standing water. Swampy areas are a no-go.
If you live in a place that sees winter winds and icy precipitation, consider planting your tree in a spot that’s sheltered from the wind or near a warm spot on your home. Side yards are often the most optimal spot in these cases.
Wherever you plant, make sure the tree is 15-20 feet away from any obstructions (your home included). Southern Magnolias have pretty expansive root balls, and they need adequate growing room to accommodate them.
How long can my potted Magnolia tree stay in a container?
It depends on the specific variety of your tree, but for Southern Magnolias, they’re typically okay for about 6 months. The sooner you get them in the ground, the sooner they can establish a good root system. We have been working on a new southern magnolia to be planted in a container which we will share with you soon, but for now we are talking about magnolia trees for your landscape.
How often should I water my indoor Magnolia?
About every 10 days. As with all indoor plants, be sure to use the finger test. Stick your finger about two inches into the soil. Is it bone dry? Add water. Is it damp? Maybe wait a day or two. Every plant, even ones of the same variety, will have different watering needs. Don’t be afraid to experiment a little!
As long as your tree is receiving 5-6 hours of direct sunlight, it can tolerate a bit of experimentation with its watering schedule. Nature and the weather aren’t consistent, so there’s no pressure on you to be perfect, either.
What about my outdoor Southern Magnolia - how often should I water it?
If your tree is established and as long as your area sees some kind of precipitation (yes, snow counts) every 2-3 weeks, you shouldn’t need to water it. Keep an eye on the soil - the finger test still works here, too! The tree will also show signs of water stress if its needs aren’t being met, so watch the leaves if you need an extra clue.
What soil should I use when I transplant a Magnolia tree into a larger container?
For the typical homeowner, keep it simple! Miracle Gro potting soil and fertilizer are just fine.
Do I need to fertilize my Southern Magnolia? How often? How much? When? What fertilizer should I use?
Don’t panic! Fertilizing is easy, and you generally only need to do it once a year. Save your fertilizing for springtime. We recommend a slow release/controlled release tree & shrub fertilizer. A six month release is the best but a three month will also work. You can find these at any home improvement store.
The amount you use is dependent on the size of your tree. Most brands of fertilizer have instructions on the bag on how much to use, but in case yours doesn’t, use about a pound of fertilizer per inch the tree is round. A tree trunk that’s 5 inches around should get about 5 pounds of fertilizer, and so on.
Our guide to springtime magnolia tree care goes into a lot of detail on this topic if you want more information.
How do I know if a plant will thrive where I live?
The USDA Plant Zone Hardiness Map is every gardener’s best friend! This guide sorts the country into climate zones, and most plants have a designation for the zones they thrive and struggle in. To set yourself up for growing success, always consult this map before adding a leafy friend to your yard.
Most species of magnolia tree do best in zones 7-10. For colder climates consider other species like Magnolia Ann, Magnolia Jane and Star Magnolia.
How do I prune a Magnolia tree?
Fun fact! We have an entire blog post and Youtube video dedicated to our expert advice on how to prune your Magnolia tree.
Prune your Magnolia tree while it’s in a dormant state (so, wait until late winter). Pruning is good for these trees, so don’t be afraid to remove any damaged branches or unruly growth.
If you need to prune while the tree is actively growing in the spring or summer, try to do it minimally or only in “emergencies” where the tree is damaged.
How often do Magnolia trees bloom?
Depends on the species! Most magnolia trees bloom once a year, but if the tree is super young, it may take a couple years for it to start blooming. Be patient - gorgeous flowers are on the way!
The underside of my tree’s leaves is brown… is it sick?
Nope! Most Magnolias sport a gorgeous green top side and velvety brown underside. This is normal and healthy for Southern Magnolias.
If you notice the whole leaf, top and bottom, is turning brown, the tree is likely just shedding. Southern Magnolias are evergreen, so they don’t have a massive leaf drop in the fall like other trees. It’s normal to see a handful of old leaves turn yellow and brown before dropping, but it’s not normal for large parts of a Southern Magnolia to do this all at once. Heavier leaf drops occur when there is a large flush of new shoots and leaves in the spring.
So, how did we do? Did we answer your questions? If not, you know where to reach us!
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