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Plant Profiles / Southern magnolia 'Little Gem'

Photos: Wikimedia Commons

Feature treesOutdoorTreeFloweringFragrantPet friendly

Southern magnolia 'Little Gem'

Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem' · Little Gem magnolia, dwarf southern magnolia

A compact evergreen magnolia with glossy dark leaves backed in rusty bronze and big, lemon-scented white flowers through summer. Perfect for screening and large pots.

Full sun to part shadeLight

WeeklyWater

EasyCare level

Care at a glance

Light

Full sun to part shade

ShadeFull sun

Best flowering in full sun. Tolerates some shade.

Water

Weekly

DryWet

Water deeply once or twice a week while establishing; established trees tolerate dry spells. Pots need regular water.

Humidity

Average

LowHigh

Adaptable; handles coastal conditions with some shelter.

Temperature

-15–38°C (5–100°F)

CoolWarm

Hardy to moderate frosts. Young trees may need frost protection.

Growth

Slow to moderate, upright

SlowFast

Grows 4–6 m tall and 2–3 m wide; smaller in pots.

Soil

Rich, slightly acidic, well-drained

LeanRich

Use a quality potting mix with compost. Mulch the root zone.

Fertiliser

Spring & summer

RarelyOften

Slow-release fertiliser in spring and again in mid-summer.

Pet safety

Non-toxic

SafeToxic

Magnolias are considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.

About this plant

'Little Gem' is a dwarf form of the southern magnolia, native to the south-eastern USA. It keeps a narrow, upright shape, so it suits small gardens, hedges and containers. It flowers younger than the full-size species and keeps blooming on and off from late spring to autumn.

Best spots

Sunny or part-shaded courtyards, balcony screening in large pots, hedges and entryways.

Plant facts

Botanical name	Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem'
Family	Magnoliaceae
Origin	South-eastern USA
Plant type	Evergreen tree
Mature size	4–6 m tall, 2–3 m wide
Growth rate	Slow to moderate
Foliage	Glossy green leaves with bronze undersides
Flowers	Large, fragrant white cups
Toxicity	Non-toxic to pets
Propagation	Semi-hardwood cuttings

Seasonal care calendar

Active growth

Flowering

Fertilise

Prune

Active growthFloweringFertilisePrune

Based on Southern Hemisphere seasons.

Troubleshooting

Yellow leaves	Some older leaf drop is normal in spring. Widespread yellowing means poor drainage or alkaline soil.
Brown leaf edges	Wind burn or drought. Water deeply and shelter.
No flowers	Too much shade or a young tree.
Black sooty leaves	Scale insects. Treat with horticultural oil.
Leaf spots	Fungal leaf spot; clear fallen leaves.