Reasons Why Magnolias Will Not Bloom

Magnolias usually produce an abundance of blooms.

Magnolias usually produce an abundance of blooms.

Although thought of as a traditional Southern fixture, magnolias (Magnolia Spp.) grow in a variety of climates and look beautiful in nearly any yard, thanks to the significant blooms for which they're best known. When magnolia flowers fail to appear, the cause may stem from improper care, poor soil or simply because the plant's not ready to bloom. Magnolias generally grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 to 9, although it varies by variety.

Root Damage

Moderate to severe root damage can cause setback to the tree's flowering. Typically, root damage won't result in a total lack of flowers, but your magnolia may bloom less dramatically. Insects and diseases are the primary causes of root damage in plants, but people can also disrupt a magnolia's root system by digging around in the root zone. If you cultivate the area within the tree's root zone, you may damage its feeder roots, which can reduce nutrient and water intake, leading to reduced blooming. Root-feeding insects don't usually bother magnolias, and the only root-damaging diseases that affect them are typically root rots from excessive watering. Ensuring the soil never remains constantly wet prevents root rot.


Too much fertilizer adversely affects a magnolia's blooms. Fertilizer has three primary nutrients: nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. Nitrogen promotes shoot and leaf growth, phosphorous increases flowering and root strength, and potassium increases the magnolia's overall health and strength. Adding too much nitrogen will spur green growth and reduce flowering. A balanced fertilizer consisting of equal parts nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium applied in spring works best for magnolias. The University of Minnesota Extension Service suggests using a slow-release fertilizer.


A magnolia placed in excessive shade will see few flowers, poor growth and overall poor health. The foliage may appear droopy, and new shoots will appear stunted. In areas with hot, dry summers, magnolias enjoy some shade, with typically four to six hours of sun per day. The plants thrive in more than six hours of sun per day in climates with more forgiving summers. Excessive sun exposure in hotter climates won't result in a lack of flowering , but may damage the flowers and foliage of species that bloom in summer.

Soil pH

Magnolias prefer the lower end of the pH spectrum, requiring acidic soil to flower, grow and essentially survive. A soil pH between 5.0 and 6.5 is ideal. Anything significantly more or less may result in a lack of bloom, either partially or fully, stunted growth and discolored and deformed foliage. Performing a soil test serves as the only reliable way to determine your soil's pH level. If it's too high, a number of amendments bring it down, including iron sulfate and elemental sulfur. Lime increases soil pH.

Pruning and Growing From Seed

Don't expect seed-grown magnolias to bloom for at least a few years. Clemson University Extension Service explains it's not unusual to wait for three years or more for a newly planted magnolia to bloom, and some can take upwards of 15 years before flowering. If the plant doesn't incur root damage, enjoys full or partial sun and sits in acidic soil, chances are it's just not ready to flower yet. However, if you've pruned your magnolia before it flowers, you may have removed its buds. Always prune the plant after it flowers, and try to make cuts only while it's young and small, unless the branches of older magnolias are diseased or damaged.

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