829 gardener saves
Magnolia: the varieties gardeners actually grow
We track 28 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Magnolia varieties
Of 28 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedFelix Magnolia
Magnolia grandiflora 'Felix'
#2 most savedSaucer Magnolia Ann
Magnolia x soulangeana 'Ann'
#3 most savedDaybreak Loebner Magnolia
Magnolia stellata 'Daybreak'
Coppertallica Saucer Magnolia
Magnolia x soulangeana 'Coppertallica'
Black Tulip Magnolia
Magnolia x soulangeana 'Black Tulip'
Southern Magnolia
Magnolia grandiflora
Sweetbay Magnolia
Magnolia virginiana
Green Shadow Sweetbay Magnolia
Magnolia virginiana 'Green Shadow'
Stellar Ruby Magnolia
Magnolia stellar ruby
Judy Zuk Magnolia
Magnolia x soulangiana 'Judy Zuk'
Royal Star Magnolia
Magnolia stellata 'Royal Star'
Moonglow Sweetbay Magnolia
Magnolia virginiana 'Jim Wilson'
Browse all 28 Magnolia varieties →
How to grow Magnolia
What the Magnolia varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 28 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Magnolia year
- MulchApril and October100% of varieties
Maintain a mulch layer over the root zone to keep soil cool and moist.
- PruneMay and June89% of varieties
Prune after flowering only to remove dead or broken branches.
- FertilizeMarch89% of varieties
Apply a fertilizer for acid-loving plants in early spring if needed.
- PlantMarch, April, September and October64% of varieties
Plant in spring or fall. Ensure soil is rich and well-drained.
Do
- Mulch annually to protect the shallow root system.
- Prune after flowering to maintain shape
- Provide consistent moisture, especially during dry periods.
- Provide consistent moisture, especially during the first few years.
- Provide consistent moisture, especially when young.
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Do not allow the soil to dry out completely
- Avoid planting in alkaline or poorly drained soil
- Don't prune unless absolutely necessary to remove a dead branch
What goes wrong with Magnolia
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Magnolia Scale | Large, white, waxy bumps on twigs in late summer, with sticky honeydew. | Scrub off small infestations. Apply horticultural oil in late summer after crawlers have emerged. |
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Use neem oil spray or insecticidal soap |
| Scale insects | Sticky residue and yellowing leaves | Apply horticultural oil or insecticidal soap |
| Leaf Spot | Various fungal or bacterial spots on leaves. | Generally not serious. Rake up and dispose of fallen leaves. Improve air circulation. |
| Verticillium Wilt | Sudden wilting, yellowing, and dieback of one or more branches. | There is no cure. Prune out affected branches. Provide excellent care to reduce stress on the plant. If the plant dies, do not replant with another susceptible species. |
| Leaf Spots | Fungal or bacterial spots on leaves, usually cosmetic. | Improve air circulation and rake up fallen leaves. Generally not serious enough to warrant spraying. |
Making more Magnolia
Softwood Cuttings
- Take cuttings from new growth in early summer.
- Treat with a rooting hormone.
- Place under mist with bottom heat.
- Rooting can be difficult and slow.
Cuttings
- Take semi-hardwood cuttings in summer
- Use a strong rooting hormone and provide bottom heat
- Maintain high humidity under a dome or mist system
- Rooting is very slow and success rates can be low
Magnolia questions
How many types of Magnolia are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 28 distinct Magnolia varieties. The most popular — ranked by 829 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Magnolia grow in?
Across its varieties, Magnolia covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Magnolia bloom?
Most Magnolia varieties bloom in early spring, mid-spring, late spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Magnolia should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
More on Magnolia
Magnolia shows up in
By hardiness zone
Design with Magnolia in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
