Whether you are growing it indoors or outdoors, there are numerous places that you can plant your magnolia tree. But which places are the best? And are there areas that you shouldn't place a Magnolia tree? We've looked into the answers to these questions, and in this post, we will share them with you.
Here are some of the best places to plant a magnolia tree indoors and outdoors:
- On the balcony or terrace
- By the front door
- Next to the sofa
- In the front yard
- In the backyard
- Near a big window
- In the garden
- Along the sidewalk
Considering the placement before purchasing your magnolia tree can save you a ton of headache putting the tree in the ground. It's important to make considerations for canopy width, fallen flowers, and sunlight. Continue reading to learn more about where to place your magnolia tree.
The Best Place To Plant A Magnolia Tree
On The Balcony or Terrace
If you live in a rural area or have a large outdoor space, a terrace or balcony would be a great place to house a small magnolia plant. Dwarf magnolia plants only reach a few feet in height and can provide the perfect decor to your balcony. You can also add other plants next to the magnolia tree to help accent it. If the space on the balcony is too small for the magnolia plant, consider placing the plant on the side of the door. Not only is this a great location for the magnolia tree to get direct sunlight, but it can also help to bring attention to your drapes or curtains.
By The Front Door
Placing a magnolia tree right at the front door is a great place to help it get direct light, depending on the direction that your home faces. It's also a perfect place for the plant to receive fresh air. A beautiful magnolia tree at the front door can be an attention-getter and makes for a perfect conversation starter.
Next To The Sofa
You can also keep things simple by placing your magnolia tree next to the sofa or loveseat. What better way to accent these pieces than by having a beautifully flowered magnolia tree to help them stand out more! If your living room or dining room has windows, be sure to open the blinds and drapes throughout the day so that the magnolia plant can get the daily light that it needs.
In The Front Yard
The front of your yard is the perfect place for your magnolia tree. It can take the fresh air, warm sunlight, and enough room to grow freely without hindering the walkways around your home. It can also provide shade if you want to sit outside to read a good book now and then.
In the Backyard
Whether you have a small or large backyard, a magnolia tree can be the perfect addition to help liven it up. Not only can it add color and character to your backyard, but it can also make it easier to maintain your tree.
Near a Big Window
If you have a room with multiple windows, especially bay windows, these can make the perfect locations for a magnolia plant. Not only will they give you plant an ample amount of sunlight throughout the day, but they can also help to open up space if there aren't other decorative items in the room. Placing your tree and near a window can also be a great way to give it a bit of fresh air throughout the day.
In The Garden
Planting your magnolia tree outdoors can give your garden a majestic overtone. It can also set the stage for your garden's theme, as these beautiful plants seem to add character to almost any garden, small or large. Outside your magnolia tree will be exposed to fresh air and ample sunlight daily, given you plant it in an area where other trees do not cover it. You'll also want to make sure that your plant doesn't hover over other plants in your garden, as the clean-up of the flowering can be cumbersome, especially after the blooming season.
Along The Sidewalk
Magnolia trees are the perfect trees to place along your driveway or front sidewalk. They are some of the most commonly used trees used in recreational parks, zoos, and conservatories. Direct sunlight and fresh air will keep your magnolia tree thriving--in addition to regular watering. However, you will want to note is any zoning or planting restriction that your city may have on trees and landscaping. It's best to check with your local government to make sure that you are allowed to plant magnolia trees on your property before doing so.
Magnolia Tree Placement Considerations
Debris
Remember that magnolia trees bloom throughout the year. This means that your front or back yard will be littered with beautiful white and pink flowers on a weekly and daily basis. This can be especially problematic for patios, driveways, and sidewalks. Be sure to have a cleanup plan if you plan to plant your magnolia tree near an area that pedestrians frequent.
It can be helpful to draw a diagram of your home and the surrounding landscape to map out where you will place your magnolia trees. This can give you a bird's-eye view of what to expect when it comes time to clean up the flowers.
It's also important to note that magnolia trees will grow substantially in size after they are planted. So to say, be sure that you really think about the location of your magnolia tree before planting it. It can be a huge burden to transplant it once the roots of the tree are established.
Fragrance
Magnolia trees release a fairly strong fragrance daily. This fragrance is known to attract birds and other types of wildlife. If you prefer not to have a fragrant tree near your home, you may want to plant it farther from the home in the backyard area. You also want to consider that if the trees attract birds, it'll also attract bird excrement. This can be a nuisance to clean off your walkway, driveway, siding, and vehicles.
Additional Outdoor Tree Placement Guidelines
There are other general considerations that you should think about before planting a magnolia tree outside of your home. Let's take a look at them.
- As a general rule, it's best to divide the tree's spread, at its mature stage, in half and keep it far away from adjacent trees or structures of a similar size.
- Wild magnolia tree roots are known to be particularly invasive; they can cause issues if you place them too close to your home. Try to keep your magnolia trees at least 15 to 20 feet away from the perimeter of your home, particularly if they are large magnolia varieties.
- Being that magnolia trees can grow fairly large canopies, try to keep them at least 22 to 30 feet away from each other --this way, they won't appear overcrowded or cluttered once they reach maturity.
- Don't plant magnolia trees in easements.
- It's best to plant trees using natural spacing instead of straight lines unless placed on a sidewalk or wide driveway.
- Be sure to add mulch to your magnolia tree to help it retain water, especially during its younger years.
- Do not plant magnolia trees under utility lines as they may grow taller than the line and become a hazard.
- Take note of your magnolia variety's average mature height before purchasing it to ensure that you have enough space to accommodate it either indoors or outdoors.
How Long Do Magnolias Take To Grow?
It depends on the variety, however, magnolia trees have been known to take anywhere from 10 to 30 years to reach full maturity. It also depends on the skill set of the grower and the location of the magnolia tree. Outdoor magnolia trees tend to grow taller than the ones grown indoors.
How Do You Care For A Potted Magnolia Tree?
The most important thing to do to ensure the health of your magnolia tree is to provide it with moist, well-draining, slightly acidic soil to get the nutrients that it needs to thrive. You'll also need to provide the tree with a moderate amount of sunlight daily in a particularly warm or dry climate.
Depending on the variety of your magnolia tree, you'll need to water the plant at least one to two times a week, especially during the younger years of its life. Weekly monitoring of your magnolia tree can ensure that it gets the attention that it needs to stay healthy and grow.
Do Magnolias Prefer Sun Or Shade?
The perfect location for a magnolia plant is one that has light shade or full sun. They are adaptable to both, but indirect sunlight is definitely more beneficial.
Are Magnolias Frost Hardy?
Frost hardiness refers to a plant's ability to survive winter frost without suffering damage to its leaves. Most magnolia varieties are susceptible to freezing and frost damage, which means they aren't particularly frost-hardy. These trees generally prefer warmer and drier climates with an average temp of 65 degrees Fahrenheit or more. It's best only to grow magnolias if you live in an area with moderate temperatures, as these trees don't hold up well in cold weather conditions.
Wrapping Things Up
We hope that this post has provided you with the information that you were looking for on where to place your magnolia tree when growing it indoors or outdoors. If growing your tree outdoors, always be sure to consider the mature height of the tree, as you don't want to have to transplant it once it's in the ground.
Before you go, be sure to check out our other posts: