Magnolia trees are beloved for their stunning flowers and lush evergreen foliage. If you want to grow your own magnolia tree from seed you may be wondering where to find magnolia tree seeds for sale. While magnolia seeds can be difficult to find at local garden centers, there are several good online sources for purchasing these seeds.
Why Grow Magnolia Trees from Seed?
Growing magnolia trees from seed has several advantages over purchasing container-grown trees:
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It’s more economical. Magnolia tree seeds are fairly inexpensive, often $1-$5 per seed. A container-grown magnolia tree can cost $50 or more.
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You can grow rare or unusual varieties. Many magnolia tree varieties are not widely available at nurseries. Growing from seed gives you access to a broader selection.
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You get a young, healthy tree. Starting with a seedling allows you to nurture the tree through its full lifecycle.
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It’s fun! Propagating trees from seeds is an enjoyable and rewarding process for gardeners.
However, patience is required, as magnolia trees grown from seed may take 5-10 years to flower. Purchasing a grafted tree will give you flowers sooner, but at a higher cost.
When to Harvest Magnolia Seeds
The best time to harvest magnolia seeds is September-October, when the seed pods turn reddish-brown and split open Inside each pod are bright red seeds about the size of a raisin.
Collect the ripe pods before they open fully. Remove the seeds and discard the pods. To plant right away, soak the seeds overnight to soften the tough outer coating. For spring planting, store seeds over winter in moist peat moss or sand in the refrigerator. Stratification mimics natural winter conditions and helps seeds germinate better.
Where to Find Magnolia Tree Seeds Online
Several reputable online retailers sell magnolia seeds of many different magnolia tree varieties:
Sheffield’s Seed Company
Sheffield’s offers seeds of several magnolia species, including:
- Magnolia virginiana (Sweetbay magnolia)
- Magnolia grandiflora (Southern magnolia)
- Magnolia acuminata (Cucumber tree)
They provide detailed growing information with each seed variety. Bulk discounts available for large orders.
Park Seed
Park Seed sells seeds of popular magnolia varieties like:
- Magnolia x ‘Elizabeth’
- Magnolia stellata (Star magnolia)
- Magnolia liliiflora (Mulan magnolia)
You can shop for magnolia seeds by color, size, bloom time, and other features.
Eden Brothers
Eden Brothers has a nice selection of magnolia seeds at affordable prices. Varieties include:
- Magnolia x soulangiana (Saucer magnolia)
- Magnolia macrophylla (Bigleaf magnolia)
- Magnolia tripetala (Umbrella magnolia)
How to Grow Magnolia Trees from Seeds
Follow these tips for the best results growing magnolia trees from seeds:
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Plant magnolia seeds indoors 8-12 weeks before the last expected frost. Use a moist, well-draining growing medium.
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Barely cover the seeds with 1⁄4 inch of soil or less. Water gently to moisten.
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Maintain even moisture and temperatures around 70°F until germination. Expect sprouts in 4-8 weeks.
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Transplant seedlings to larger containers. Grow on for 1-2 years before transplanting outdoors.
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Select a site with partial shade and rich, acidic, well-drained soil. Dig a wide planting hole and water deeply after transplanting.
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Expect magnolia trees grown from seed to reach flowering size in 10 years or longer. Be patient for the reward of growing your own beautiful magnolia!
Purchase Magnolia Seeds and Start Growing
Magnolia trees are the perfect choice for gardeners who want beautiful blooms and lush foliage in a carefree tree. Though magnolia seeds can be challenging to find locally, several excellent online retailers offer a wide selection of magnolia seeds for sale. Growing magnolia trees from seeds is an enjoyable way to add striking beauty to your landscape at a fraction of the cost of purchasing mature trees.
Magnolia virginiana NorthernMagnolia virginiana
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Scarification: Soak in water, let stand in water for 24 hours
Stratification: cold stratify for 120 days
Germination: sow seed 1/4″ deep, tamp the soil, mulch the seed bed
Other: can be fall sown without stratification.
How to Grow Sweet Bay Magnolia from Seed
FAQ
Can magnolia trees grow from seeds?
The magnolia seeds should germinate in a few weeks. The magnolia seedlings can be moved outdoors in spring.Mar 4, 2022
How many years does it take for a magnolia tree to bloom?
Magnolia trees generally don’t begin to bloom until they are around 10years old. Another reason why Magnolia trees might not flower is that they are not in the proper climate hardiness zones. Magnolia trees need to be in climates that are warm enough for them to bloom.
Why not to plant a magnolia tree?
In fact, magnolia tree roots spread farther than those of most trees. If your house is within root range, the roots can work their way into pipes under your house. As they do, they damage your home’s structure and/or plumbing system.
How do you start a magnolia tree?
Home gardeners can propagate magnolia trees by stem cuttings or seed. Stem cuttings produce flowering trees much faster than seed—as soon as two years in some cases—whereas seedlings take closer to 10 years to flower. However, stem cuttings have a high failure rate.
How to grow a magnolia tree from seed?
With a little bit of work and a lot of patience, propagating magnolia trees from seed is a fun and rewarding activity for gardeners of all ages. The first step in growing a magnolia tree is obtaining the seeds, either by purchasing them or by harvesting them from a parent plant.
Can you harvest Magnolia seed pods?
Before you go to the trouble of harvesting magnolia seed pods, though, you need to determine whether or not the parent tree is a hybrid. Hybrid magnolia tree varieties don’t breed true and the resulting tree may not resemble the parent.
Where can I buy magnolia trees?
Established and reliable, the forms we carry have always proven their worth in different areas across the country. Buy from the Tree Center with confidence. Buy Magnolia Trees online from The Tree Center with free shipping. Take a look at our selection of Magnolias available online 24/7.
Do magnolia trees grow naturally?
It is a great idea – and saves a lot of work – to let this happen naturally to your trees as they grow and mature. Magnolia trees come naturally from areas where other trees grow. In nature, each year leaves fall from these trees, rotting into the ground. As a result, they like soil with plenty of rich organic material in it.
When to harvest Magnolia seeds?
Magnolias are easy flower seeds to harvest in September or October, when the berries turn red and ripe. Just pick the berries out of the cones and save them for later. Before you go to the trouble of harvesting magnolia seed pods, though, you need to determine whether or not the parent tree is a hybrid.
Can you plant magnolia tree seeds in spring?
If you are planning on planting magnolia tree seeds in spring, there are a few extra steps. First, clean and rub the berries, removing their outer coat, the same as for fall planting. Then store them in a sealed container in the refrigerator until spring. This process is called seed stratification.