Saucer magnolia Magnolia x soulangeana
Saucer magnolia (Magnolia x soulangeana) is a deciduous perennial tree in the Magnoliaceae family. It grows 5–8 m (16–26 ft) tall and 4–7 m (13–23 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -25 °C (-13 °F). Space plants about 5 m (16 ft) apart.
Plan Saucer magnolia in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Saucer magnolia at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Magnoliaceae |
| Mature height | 5–8 m (16–26 ft) |
| Mature spread | 4–7 m (13–23 ft) |
| Spacing | 5 m (16 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Cold hardiness | About -25 °C (-13 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 5) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 33 °C (91 °F) |
| Flowering | from about March for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇨🇳 China, 🇯🇵 Japan |
Is Saucer magnolia toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Magnolia is listed as non-toxic to people, cats and dogs.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Saucer magnolia
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
See Saucer magnolia in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden (1 plants)
- China National Botanical Garden (4 plants)
- Riverside botanical garden (1 plants)
Questions about Saucer magnolia
- How far apart should I plant Saucer magnolia?
- About 5 m (16 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 4–7 m (13–23 ft).
- Does Saucer magnolia need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Saucer magnolia need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Saucer magnolia?
- It tolerates about -25 °C (-13 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 5.
- When does Saucer magnolia flower?
- From about March for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Saucer magnolia poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Magnolia is listed as non-toxic to people, cats and dogs.
- What grows well with Saucer magnolia?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Saucer magnolia. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-cultivar values; varieties differ.
- Early flowers are vulnerable to late frost.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Southern magnolia Magnolia grandiflora
- Tulip tree Liriodendron tulipifera
- Yulan magnolia Magnolia denudata
- Champak Magnolia champaca
- White champaka (champi) Magnolia × alba
- Star magnolia (shidekobushi) Magnolia stellata
- Lily magnolia (mulan) Magnolia liliiflora
- Kobushi magnolia Magnolia kobus