Cold hardiness

Future

2050

2100

These values are location-based: this location's current hardiness is the baseline, and the 2050 value is a projected future climate for this same location.

Now

Zone 6b

USDA

Published baseline for this location from 1991-2020.

Source: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 (1991-2020 climatology) via ArcGIS FeatureServer

Well-suited

2050

Zone 7a

Plotwright

Projected zone for this same location in 2050 (2041-2070) using SSP3-7.0 (regional rivalry).

Well-suited

In plain terms: This location is in Zone 6b today. Its hardiness profile is cold winters, and coldest nights are typically around -3°F. By 2050, the projected hardiness zone is Zone 7a based on SSP3-7.0 (regional rivalry). That is a +0.5-zone shift from Zone 6b to Zone 7a by 2050.

✓

Well-suited today and still thriving in 2050.

Heat tolerance

Future

2050

2100

Heat tolerance values are location-based too: heat days today are observed at this site, and the 2050 value projects this same location under a future climate.

Loading AHS heat-zone data for this location...

Where this plant fits

Suitable across 45 ecoregions — 43 climate-resilient through 2070 · 2 newly possible by 2070. Best matches first.

Appalachian mixed mesophytic forests

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Appalachian-Blue Ridge forests

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Arizona Mountains forests

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Atlantic coastal pine barrens

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Blue Mountains forests

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California coastal sage and chaparral

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Canadian Aspen forests and parklands

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Central Pacific Northwest coastal forests

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Central Tallgrass prairie

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Central-Southern Cascades Forests

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What it needs

Conditions

Light

Full sun / Part shade

Water

Consistent moisture

Spacing

360"

Habit

Large dense conical-to-pyramidal evergreen tree with low-sweeping branches

Care tips

•

Accept the no-underplanting reality — NC State explicitly notes "Nothing will grow underneath the tree." Mulch the dripline ring rather than fighting for groundcover.

•

For smaller lots, choose a compact cultivar ('Little Gem', 'Teddy Bear', 'Kay Parris') — the species form is too large for typical residential yards.

•

For cold-hardiness extension to zone 5, use 'Bracken's Brown Beauty' or 'Edith Bogue' in protected microclimates.

Lifecycle

Planting

Plant in spring or fall in rich, moist, well-drained soil; NC State notes intolerance of overly wet or swampy conditions despite the species's native range in moist coastal forests. Full sun produces denser foliage but partial shade is also tolerated.

Transplanting

Transplants reasonably well at 5-15 gallon container sizes; large balled-and-burlapped stock requires careful aftercare. Best moved in early spring.

Early growth

Water deeply through the first 2-3 seasons; mulch a wide ring without burying the trunk flare. Resist pruning into "lollipop" forms — the natural low-sweeping branching is the design-defining habit.

Maturity

Mature trees reach 60-80 feet tall and 30-50 feet wide. NC State notes: "Nothing will grow underneath the tree" — the combination of dense shade, year-round leaf drop, and shallow surface roots makes underplanting effectively impossible. Long-lived; mature specimens persist 80-120+ years.

Propagation

Seed germination requires cold stratification (60-90 days); seedlings show variable habit and bloom quality. Named cultivars ('Bracken's Brown Beauty', 'Little Gem', 'D.D. Blanchard', 'Edith Bogue') are propagated by softwood cuttings or grafting and offer compact habit + improved cold hardiness.

Pollination

Self-fertile

NC State documents southern magnolia as beetle-pollinated — the magnolia genus evolved before bees existed and retains this ancient pollination relationship. Perfect cup-shaped flowers produce viable seed without a partner, though cross-pollination is preferred. The thick waxy petals are an adaptation to beetle traffic (heavier and clumsier than bee/fly pollinators).

Plants don't grow alone

Seed forage

Bird

Eastern songbirds (multi-species) (multiple species (Passeriformes))

NC State: "Its seeds are eaten by birds and small mammals." The bright red seeds dangle from the splitting cone-like fruit in late summer / early fall, providing fall-migration nutrition for songbirds.

For people

Not eaten by humans

Southern magnolia is grown as an ornamental, not as food. Traditional medicinal use of bark preparations is documented historically (NC State: "Traditionally used medicinally for circulatory disorders") but is not established as safe for modern consumption. Wood is commercially used for veneer, furniture, paper pulp, and composite boards.

Traditional medicinal use

NC State documents historical medicinal bark use for circulatory disorders. Modern internal use is not established and should not be inferred from traditional use.

Native range

Native across 12 US states.

AHS heat range

6-12

Native ecoregions

Naturally belongs in 10 ecoregions — its native range crosses a state or province each one spans (not necessarily this exact habitat).

Appalachian mixed mesophytic forests

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Appalachian-Blue Ridge forests

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Chihuahuan desert

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Cross-Timbers savanna-woodland

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Edwards Plateau savanna

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Mississippi lowland forests

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Northeastern Coastal Forests

Southeast US conifer savannas

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Climate notes

•

NC State Extension lists Magnolia grandiflora for USDA hardiness zones 6a-10b across the central and southeastern coastal plains from North Carolina to Florida and west to Texas. Cultivars ('Bracken's Brown Beauty', 'Edith Bogue') extend cold hardiness to zone 5 in protected sites.

•

Intolerant of overly wet or swampy conditions despite the moist native habitat. Tolerates partial shade but flowering and canopy density are best in full sun.

•

No serious disease problems per NC State; scale insects, sooty mold (often following scale infestations), and yellow poplar weevil can occur. Moderately deer-resistant.

In the designer

Growth over time

720-960" tall · 360-600" spread

Mature evergreen specimen with low sweeping branches and dense canopy.

Design roles: Focal point · Structure

Seasonal interest

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Filled = the plant has seasonal interest · ▾ now = your current season

Southern magnolia

At a glance

Related products

Why it matters

Cold hardiness

Heat tolerance

Where this plant fits

What it needs

Lifecycle

Pollination

Plants don't grow alone

For people

Native range

Climate notes

In the designer

Seasonal interest

Sources & citations