What soil does Southern magnolia grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, clay, sandy, acidic.

Is Southern magnolia hardy?

Hardy down to -18 °C (USDA zone 6, RHS H6). In the colder parts of the country (Greater Poland Voivodeship, Holy Cross Voivodeship, Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship, Lesser Poland Voivodeship, Łódź Voivodeship, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, Lublin Voivodeship, Lubusz Voivodeship, Masovian Voivodeship, Opole Voivodeship, Podlaskie Voivodeship, Pomeranian Voivodeship, Silesian Voivodeship, Subcarpathian Voivodeship, Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship) it may not survive winter without protection.

Is Southern magnolia toxic to children?

No. Reliable sources list it as non-toxic to children.

How far from the house should Southern magnolia be planted?

Plant it at least 8.5 m from buildings. Keep it at least 2.5 m from paving.

When does Southern magnolia flower?

Flowering: June–September, white.

How much water does Southern magnolia need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: medium.

Southern magnolia

Magnolia grandiflora

Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) is a large tree. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -18 °C. Drought tolerance: medium. Non-toxic to children.

Illustration of Southern magnolia — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

An evergreen tree with large, glossy, leathery leaves that are rusty and felted beneath, bearing huge creamy white, lemon-scented flowers in summer. In this region it lives at the edge of its hardiness: plant it in a warm, sunny spot sheltered from wind and winter sun, in moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil that is acidic to neutral, and look for the hardier cultivars where winters are harsher. Expect it to shed its slow-rotting leaves all year round.

Watch out for

Its winter hardiness is borderline in Central Europe. The species and most cultivars on sale (Galissonnière, for example) are reliable to about -17 to -20 °C; in colder winters the foliage browns and drops and a young tree may die back, and the leaves of Little Gem are damaged at around -20 °C. The toughest cultivars (Edith Bogue, Victoria, Bracken's Brown Beauty) hold out below -25 °C and are the only ones worth planting in a cold, windy garden or a frost pocket. The most common trouble is winter leaf scorch: roots cannot take up water from frozen ground while sun and wind dry out the leaves, mainly in late winter. Hence the need for a sheltered position, a thick mulch, watering in frost-free spells and, for the first three winters, a white fleece cover during severe cold. Heavy wet snow sitting on the large leaves breaks branches and even the leader, so shake it off gently after snowfall. On calcareous soil the leaves may turn yellow. Young plants often take years to start flowering.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade
Water need: Medium
Care: Medium
Size after 10 years: 4 m × 2.5 m
Hardiness: down to -18 °C
Foliage: Evergreen
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D June–September, white

All details

Group	Large tree
Light	Full sun, Part shade
Size after 10 years	4 m × 2.5 m
Ultimate size	6–24 m × 3–15 m
Hardiness	down to -18 °C (USDA 6, RHS H6)
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Acidic
Foliage	Evergreen
Flowering	June–September, white
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium
Maintenance	Medium
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	at least 8.5 m
Distance from paving	at least 2.5 m
Litter	Leaves, Fruit
Planting distance	500 cm
For dogs	Non-toxic (uncertain)
For cats	Non-toxic (uncertain)
For children	Non-toxic
Typical price	no data

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 17, 2026 · How our data is made

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