At some point, your magnolia tree will need fertilizer to replenish its nutrients. There are a lot of choices available when it comes to magnolia tree fertilizers, which can make it difficult to find the best one for your plant.
We've decided to help you out with this. We researched the nutrient requirements and the best fertilizer for magnolia trees.
Most magnolia tree varieties grow best when they received fertilizers to have an ample amount of nitrogen. This means that fertilizers with an NPK ratio of 20-5-10 or 12-4-8 are most ideal for the tree.
That being said, magnolia trees can also benefit from all-purpose fertilizers as well.
Here are 7 fertilizers that you can use on your magnolia tree:
- BioAdvanced Tree and Shrub Protect and Feed Fertilizer
- TreeHelp Premium Fertilizer for Magnolia
- Miracle-Gro Tree & Shrub Plant Food Spikes
- Botanicare CNS17 Grow Plant Nutrient
- Jobe's Tree Fertilizer Spikes 16-4-4
- Scott's Continuous Release Plant Food
- Tree Secret Fertilizer
A quality fertilizer can make sure that your magnolia stays fully supplied with the nutrients that it needs to grow and survive the harsh conditions when they arrive. If your plant is suffering from disease or pest infestation, fertilizer can be the aid that it needs to survive.
Continue reading to learn more about these fertilizers and how to apply them to your magnolia tree.
Best Magnolia Tree Fertilizers
BioAdvanced Tree and Shrub Protect and Feed Fertilizer
This 12-month dual-action formula can help protect your magnolia tree from common pests while supplying it with much-needed nutrients.
You can apply this to your tree whether it's outdoors or indoors. These are ready-to-use granules that can be sprinkled around the base of your tree or mixed with the mulch or soil during a watering session.
This 4-lb bag is more than enough to last a year and can be used on other outdoor trees and shrubs as well.
If you need a slow-release fertilizer for your magnolia tree to help it recover from pest infestation or small bacterial issues, this fertilizer can definitely do the trick and bring it back to life.
Click here to see this formula on Amazon.
TreeHelp Premium Fertilizer for Magnolia
Is your magnolia tree in need of a little pick-me-up? If so, look no further. This premium fertilizer can help to promote long-term vitality in your magnolia tree and supply it with nutrients for the next few months.
This formula can help nourish your roots and give them the minerals and vitamins that they need for robust development.
It also contains a slow-release nitrogen formula that will promote green and healthy foliage throughout the blooming seasons. You can use this formula to treat one large tree or two to three baby trees.
All of the ingredients in this fertilizer have been specially selected for magnolia trees. So if you are looking forward to a full and bright bloom come next spring, you may want to add this top-notch fertilizer to your arsenal.
Click here to see this fertilizer on Amazon.
Miracle-Gro Tree & Shrub Plant Food Spikes
The Miracle-Gro tree and shrub plant spikes can help to give your magnolia tree all of the minerals and nutrients that it needs to grow and stay healthy. These spikes are easy to use and can be applied directly to the roots or added to your watering can.
You only need to use the spikes once a season and they will last for several weeks.
They contain all-natural ingredients and are best applied in the fall or spring season.
Remember, magnolia trees love acid-based soil. This makes the spikes the perfect addition to your soil mix.
Not only do they promote vibrant colors and beautiful foliage on your magnolia tree, but they help to keep it free from fungal issues and pest infestations by making the roots strong and resilient.
Click here to see this formula on Amazon.
Botanicare Grow Plant Nutrient
Botanicare's formula is a professional-grade fertilizer meant to provide much-needed nutrients to plants, trees, and shrubs that are on the verge of dying.
If your magnolia tree is suffering from bacterial, fungal, or pest issues, this may be what you need to re-energize the plant. It is a high-yielding fertilizer, meaning that it doesn't take a lot of work.
It contains important mineral ions and essential vitamins to help correct nutrient balance and provide the plant with sufficient root support and aeration.
If the foliage on your magnolia tree has become damaged, you may need to apply fertilizer once a month to help replenish the nutrients that have been lost due to high stress. This fertilizer can do just that.
The solution will need to be diluted, as it's fairly strong. You can use it once every blooming season for general upkeep.
Click here to see this fertilizer on Amazon.
Jobe's Tree Fertilizer Spikes 16-4-4
If you prefer not to have to measure your fertilizer, the tree spikes by Jobe's can offer you the perfect solution. These time-release spikes may be just what your magnolia plant needs if it is recovering from diseases or pest infestations.
They are also great to use for general nutrient replenishment once or twice a year. With the spikes, you don't have to worry about bad smells, wasteful liquid run-offs, or over-application.
You simply insert the spikes into the ground area around the tree. Their slow-release formula will feed the plant throughout the rest of the season. They have an NPK ratio of 16-4-4 and 15-3-3, which is perfect for nitrogen-loving magnolia trees.
This fertilizer can activate and stimulate the roots of your magnolia tree to help it achieve a full bloom come spring and summertime.
Click here to see this fertilizer on Amazon.
Scott's Continuous Release Plant Food
This continuous release plant food by Scott's is definitely worth considering if you are looking for something to apply to your magnolia tree annually. You can also use it for other evergreen or acid-loving trees such as hydrangeas, dogwoods, and blue spruce.
The concentrated formula provides your magnolia tree with all the minerals and nutrients that it needs for up to two months.
Its application process is really simple. This formula is fairly light so you don't have to worry about it burning your plants.
However, you should make sure to use the recommended amount for your tree size. This fertilizer encourages substantial root growth and promotes less foliage in your magnolia tree. It's best to apply the formula during the growing season at the start of spring.
Click here to see this fertilizer on Amazon.
Tree Fertilizer, Tree Secret
This liquid fertilizer by Tree Secret was created to provide optimal tree health.
It has a very potent blend of readily available nutrients to give your magnolia tree the vitamins and minerals that it needs to survive everyday diseases, wind damage, infestations, and other ailments.
It contains a sufficient amount of nitrogen to help spur rapid growth in your tree's roots and to strengthen the protective cell walls around its foliage.
If your tree is recovering from damage or seems to be growing slow, this formula may be able to give it to the growth spurt that you are looking for.
Not only will it strengthen your tree starting at the root, but it will make it less susceptible to the damages caused by high-stress factors.
You can apply this formula monthly during the growing season for your tree, and you'll need to dilute it with water.
A little bit of this formula goes far. It only requires about a cup of the formula for every gallon of water, which then can cover a tree diameter of 12 inches or more.
Click here to see this fertilizer on Amazon.
When Should You Fertilize Magnolia Trees?
If you have a deciduous magnolia tree, the best time for fertilizer is during the late fall. If you have an evergreen variety, it's best to fertilize the tree about 3 or 4 weeks before the beginning of fall.
This way you can have the fertilizer in the ground before the temperature drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. This may vary depending on your location and seasonal temperature changes.
You want the fertilizer to be able to penetrate the plant's roots before the ground freezes. This means that the spring and summer months are most ideal for its application.
Here's how to apply fertilizer to your magnolia tree during the fall and spring seasons:
Spring
If your magnolia tree is established, it may be better to apply the fertilizer in the spring. Most fertilizers allow you to use about 3-8 ounces per diameter of your tree's trunk. However, on the safe side, it's best to follow the manufacturer's directions.
When applying the fertilizer, make sure to apply it around the entire area of the tree.
The roots of magnolia trees prefer not to be disturbed so it's best to apply the fertilizer during the watering session or, if you are using spikes, toss them on top of the soil and then apply water over them. It's best not to cultivate the fertilizer into the soil.
Make sure to always water the plant lightly after applying fertilizer. Remember, magnolia plants may require more nitrogen in the spring as the leaves start to develop.
Fall
If you plan to fertilize your magnolia tree in the fall, you may need a higher concentration of potassium as opposed to nitrogen.
The reason is that the potassium will help the tree to perform general maintenance and normal growth functions during its slow seasons.
If you happen to run out of fertilizer, you can also use natural sources such as kelp meal, granite dust, and wood ashes.
If the foliage on your magnolia tree has a healthy color and the tree had a full bloom in the spring, you may not need fertilizer at all for the fall season.
However, if the new leaves seem smaller than the previous seasons or have a yellowish tint, your tree could be suffering from iron deficiency. In this case, applying a fertilizer that contains a full spectrum of vitamins and minerals will help remedy the deficiency.
To learn more about the magnolia tree's growing cycle, read more about it here: How Fast Do Magnolia Trees Grow?
Are Coffee Grounds Good For Magnolia Trees?
Yes, mini magnolia tree cultivars use coffee grounds to help provide nutrients to their magnolia trees. You can also use coffee grounds in a combination of eggshells and other natural sources of nutrients.
What's so great about coffee grounds is that they contain several vitamins and amino acids, which can help magnolia trees to develop strong roots and rich soil.
Coffee grounds are high in nitrogen, and as you may already know, magnolia trees love nitrogen. You can apply coffee grounds to your magnolia tree by mixing them in with the mulch, compost, or by mixing them with a liquid fertilizer.
Is Epsom Salt Good For Magnolia Trees?
A lot of gardeners reported using Epsom salt, also known as magnesium sulfate, on magnolia trees to help the tree release certain elements in the soil, such as phosphorus.
It's important to be careful when using Epsom salt to cleanse the soil around your magnolia tree, as it can dry it out.
Click here to see this Epsom salt on Amazon.
Where Is The Best Place To Plant A Magnolia Tree?
The best place to plant your magnolia tree is an area that receives an ample amount of sunlight during the day. It can also be a place that has some shade as well. Afternoon sun and morning shade are ideal for these plants.
For even more information on this topic, check out this post: Where Is The Best Place To Plant A Magnolia Tree?
Wrapping Things Up
We hope that this post has provided you with enough fertilizer options for you to consider for your magnolia plant. It's best to fertilize your magnolia plant at least once a year for beautiful blooms!