No one told you plant parenthood came with so many questions…
And so few answers!
Honestly, it’s a travesty.
“Try gardening,” they said. “It’ll be relaxing,” they said.
You deserve a yard that looks magnificent - and doesn’t cost you your sanity. That’s not too much to ask, and it’s completely possible.
At Seeds of Life, our resident Magnolia Expert Matt Roth is on a mission to dispel your leafy woes. Getting into nature’s best shouldn’t be a headache, and it doesn’t need to be one in the first place. So, let’s get into it:
1. What do I do if my magnolia has brown spots?
Good news! It’s not a disease.
Magnolias are notoriously disease resistant. They’re the oldest flowering tree on Earth, and because of that, they’ve developed mechanisms to protect themselves against fatal disease. It’s actually really rare to see a diseased magnolia.
When Matt sees a magnolia with browning leaves or dead leaves, it’s most likely just senile leaves. Magnolias are evergreen, but that doesn’t mean their leaves are permanent. All organic components of the tree have an expiration date - even the foliage. If a noticeable portion of the tree is turning brown, the plant is about to drop those leaves in preparation for a fresh new flush! It’s the tree’s own way of spring cleaning.
The other 1% of issues that Matt sees are usually innocuous aesthetic issues that aren’t cause for concern. As long as the tree is planted in the right spot with good drainage, chances are it’s perfectly fine.
Matt does add, “If your magnolia is in a low area that holds standing water or is constantly wet, all bets are off. Magnolias like water, but they love good drainage even more.”
There is an algae that looks like a fungus, and it causes an “algal leaf spot.” It’s not serious, and it only becomes a problem in deeply shaded areas with water that hangs around. Prune the tree to allow airflow and patchy sunlight through the branches, and of course, neem oil is your friend.
If you don’t like the look of your tree’s browning leaves, you can remove them without hurting the tree. In fact, this is a beneficial thing to do! On the off chance that your tree had a mild fungal issue, removing the brown leaves will reduce the spread of spores.
2. Why doesn’t my magnolia have flowers?
Firstly, is it your magnolia’s flowering season?
While plenty of species are evergreen, nearly all magnolia types have a flowering season. The exact months vary, but you can generally expect flowers in late spring and summer.
Let’s assume you already know this, though.
Nine times out of ten, flowering frequency and density are related to the tree’s genetics - not an environmental factor.
If your tree is young (less than 5 years old), you may not see a flush of flowers for some time. Mature trees flower consistently, but that’s because they’re already established and aren’t concentrating their efforts on growing up. They can afford to spend energy on flowering. Young trees aren’t there yet. They’re still vulnerable, and their priority is becoming hardy enough to survive the elements.
Some varieties also naturally flower more than others. The Little Gem Magnolia is one of the heaviest flowerers of all the species. Matt’s favorite, the Kay Parris, is slightly larger than the Little Gem and grows comparable flowers. The D.D. Blanchard is one of the most popular cultivars of Southern Magnolias and it’s known for its copper-backed leaves, but it flowers the least out of the popular species.
The last piece of wisdom Matt offers about flowers is this: “If a homeowner did a lot of heavy pruning the year before, they might have cut off some flower buds. The tree probably needed pruning, and I recommend doing a round of maintenance pruning annually in the winter. But in cases of heavy pruning, it may take another year before the tree puts out enough buds to see a full seasonal flush.”
3. Why is my magnolia dropping leaves?
First, is your magnolia a deciduous variety? While most species are evergreen, a handful of popular magnolias, such as the stunning Magnolia Ann, are deciduous trees that totally drop their leaves each fall.
If you’ve got an evergreen magnolia, think of magnolia leaves like the hair on your head: you’ve always got hair, but it’s normal to lose a few hairs throughout the day. It’s part of the lifecycle of your hair strands.
Magnolia leaves work the same way. Evergreen varieties will always have their leaves. BUT, they’ll always be dropping a few of their older leaves year round, too. It’s nothing to worry about.
The heaviest leaf drop is in spring, towards the end of April. New leaf buds have likely already formed and have started growing out, and they push the old leaves off the branch in the process.
The old leaves have done their job, so they’ll fall and make way for this new crop. Normally those leaves that are falling are about 2 years old. They’re ready to be done.
Do your best to rake these fallen leaves away from the tree trunk. While this material does make good fertilizer and natural mulch, it also traps water. Too much water trapped directly around the tree trunk is a recipe for rot and other issues, so be sure to distribute the leaves around the root ball, off the trunk!
What should we cover next?
Send us all of your magnolia questions for our next FAQ blog! We’ll also get back to you personally for expert level troubleshooting.
In the meantime, check out our social media on both Facebook and Instagram, where we’re always answering questions and sharing our professional growing & care tips!