Light. Full sun to partial shade.
Water. Water regularly for the first 4–6 weeks after planting. Once established it is moderately drought tolerant, more so where roots have plenty of room.
Soil and feeding. It prefers moist, well-drained, acidic soil and tolerates slightly alkaline soil. Feed lightly but often during the first three growing seasons.
Size. Grows to 20 ft or more. Its roots spread far beyond the canopy, so give it room.
Pruning. Little pruning is needed. Remove branches with weak, tight crotches, and keep lower branches unless they get in the way.
Problems to watch. Magnolia scale is the most common pest; heavy infestations look bad but rarely harm the tree. Rake up leaves with leaf spots to reduce next year's spotting.
Good to know. A Florida native with high tolerance of salt spray. Plant it in a bed, not a lawn: it drops leaves and seed pods in spring and forms surface roots.
Sources: UF/IFAS EDIS ENH-530/ST371: Magnolia grandiflora, Southern Magnolia · UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: Southern Magnolia
