Magnolia Tree Seeds for Sale: A Guide to Buying and Growing Magnolias from Seed

Magnolia trees are prized for their showy, fragrant blooms and attractive foliage. Many gardeners love the idea of growing their own magnolia tree from seed. Luckily, magnolia seeds are easy to find for sale from a variety of retailers. In this guide, we’ll cover where to buy magnolia tree seeds online or locally and provide tips for successfully germinating and growing magnolia trees from seed.

Where to Buy Magnolia Tree Seeds

Here are some of the best places to find magnolia tree seeds for sale:

Online Seed Retailers

• Amazon – Carries seeds for many magnolia species including saucer magnolia, sweetbay magnolia, cucumber tree magnolia, and more. Price ranges from $5-$15 per packet.

• Outsidepride – Sells cold-stratified southern magnolia seeds ready for planting. $6 per packet.

• Etsy – Independent sellers offer magnolia seeds from various species. Price and availability varies.

• eBay – Another option to purchase magnolia seeds from individual sellers. Includes exotic varieties.

• Park Seed – A reputable source for magnolia seeds Choose from over 10 magnolia species,

Local Nurseries or Garden Centers

• Independent nurseries – Many carry a selection of magnolia seeds in stock or can special order Support local!

• Big box stores – Retailers like Lowe’s or Home Depot may have a limited seed selection in stock during spring.

Specialty Seed Catalogs

• Seedman – Offers uncommon magnolia species like the cucumber magnolia tree.

• TreeSeedsPlus – Sells cold-stratified magnolia seeds for better germination.

• Sheffields – A wide selection of magnolia seeds from their online catalog.

Directly from Other Gardeners

• Seed exchanges – Join a local seed swap to trade seeds with other gardeners.

• Social platforms – Connect with fellow gardeners via forums or Facebook groups to buy/sell seeds.

• Fresh seeds – Collect seeds yourself from neighbors’ or public magnolia trees in autumn.

How to Grow Magnolia Trees from Seeds

Growing magnolias from seeds is fun and rewarding. Follow these tips for the best results:

Gather Supplies

• Magnolia seeds
• Small pots or seed trays
• Seed starting mix
• Plastic dome lids or plastic wrap
• Bamboo skewers or popsicle sticks

Cold Stratification

• Place seeds in moist peat moss or paper towel and store in the refrigerator for 2-3 months. This cold period helps break dormancy so seeds germinate better.

Sow Seeds

• Fill starter pots or trays with seed starting mix. Place 1-2 seeds just below the surface of the soil in each pot.

• Cover pots with plastic dome lids to retain moisture. Keep seed trays at 60-70°F.

Germination

• Seeds will usually begin to sprout in 4-8 weeks. Remove domes once sprouts emerge.

• Insert a bamboo skewer or popsicle stick next to each sprouting seedling for support as it grows.

Care for Seedlings

• Keep seedlings warm and moist, watering when the surface begins to dry out.

• Once they have 4-6 true leaves, transplant magnolia seedlings into larger individual pots.

Transplant Outdoors

• After the last frost date, harden off young trees for 7-10 days by setting them outdoors for increased daylight hours.

• Find a permanent spot with partial shade, rich soil, and shelter from wind. Transplant seedlings into the ground.

• Water thoroughly and as needed while your magnolia establishes over the next 1-2 years.

With proper care and patience, you can grow a beautiful magnolia tree from seeds for just a small initial investment. Enjoy the rewards for years to come!

Tips for Buying Magnolia Seeds

When shopping for magnolia seeds online or locally, keep these tips in mind:

• Select your species – There are over 200 types of magnolias. Choose one suited for your climate and space limitations.

• Reputable sellers – Buy from established sources, not random eBay or Etsy sellers. Check reviews.

• Harvest date – Seeds packaged for current year sales will be freshest. Avoid old seeds.

• Quality over quantity – A few large, robust seeds are better than a bag of tiny underdeveloped seeds.

• Organic & non-GMO – If this concerns you, look for retailers who sell untreated, chemical-free seeds.

• Fresh and firm – Avoid magnolia seeds that are dried out, mushy or mildewed. Store seeds in a cool, dry place.

• Stratified seeds – For quicker, more uniform sprouting you can buy pre-chilled seeds. Or stratify them yourself.

• Grow zone info – Some sellers provide details about which zones the magnolia species can tolerate.

• Customer service – In case seeds don’t perform as expected, find a company that offers guarantees.

Types of Magnolias to Grow from Seed

Magnolias range from shrubs to towering trees. Here are some top magnolia varieties to try growing from seed:

Saucer Magnolia

• Large, showy pink or white blooms in early spring
• Grows 20-30 feet tall and wide
• Hardy in zones 4-9

Star Magnolia

• White spring flowers with long, thin petals
• Compact shrub 10-20 feet high and wide
• For zones 4-8

Sweetbay Magnolia

• Smaller tree or large shrub at 10-20 feet tall
• Fragrant white summer blooms
• Tolerates damp areas; zones 4-9

Southern Magnolia

• Classic magnolia with huge white blooms
• Iconic tree up to 80 feet tall
• For warmer zones 7-10

Cucumbertree Magnolia

• Large forest tree growing 60-90 feet tall
• Contrasting reddish-yellow blooms
• Hardy in zones 4-8

Oyama Magnolia

• Prolific bloomer, even at a young age
• Vase-shaped form up to 25 feet tall
• Does well in zones 4-9

With so many magnolia species to choose from, you’re sure to find one that will thrive in your climate and fit your landscape needs.

Growing Magnolias from Cuttings

In addition to growing magnolias from seeds, you can also propagate these trees from stem cuttings:

Gather Supplies

• Sharp, clean pruners or scissors
• Magnolia stem cuttings (~4-6 inches long)
• Rooting hormone powder or gel
• Small pots with well-draining potting mix

Take and Prep Cuttings

• Select new greenwood stems that don’t have flowers or buds.

• Use sterilized pruners to take 4-6 inch long cuttings.

• Strip off lower leaves and dip cut end in rooting hormone.

Plant Cuttings

• Poke holes in potting mix with a pencil about 2 inches apart.

• Insert cuttings with at least 2 nodes buried in the soil.

• Gently firm mix around stems and water thoroughly.

Care and Transplanting

• Keep cuttings in filtered sunlight and water to keep moist.

• Expect roots to form in approximately 8-12 weeks.

• Transplant rooted cuttings into larger containers or the garden.

Stem cuttings are an easy, low-cost way to propagate new magnolia trees identical to the parent plant.

Common Problems When Growing Magnolias

Magnolias are generally low-maintenance once established but can encounter a few potential issues:

• Leaf spots – Fungal diseases that cause black/brown spots on foliage, especially in humid climates. Improve air circulation and prune affected leaves.

• Root rot – Fungi that cause roots to decay. Improve drainage and water less.

• Borer insects – Larvae tunnel into branches and trunks. Keep trees healthy and remove infested branches.

• Petal blight – Fungus that turns flower petals brown. Don’t sprinkle magnolia flowers with water and remove fallen petals.

• Scale insects – Sucking pests that leave sticky residue on leaves. Use horticultural oils or insecticidal soaps.

• Leaf miners – Wiggly tunnels caused by larvae feeding inside leaves. Remove damaged foliage.

With proper site selection, adequate spacing, and attentive care your magnolia trees should remain problem-free and provide beauty for years to come.

How Long Does it Take For Magnolias to Bloom from Seed?

Magnolia trees typically take several years before they are mature enough to produce flowers. Here are some general guidelines:

• Started indoors in late winter, magnolia seeds may sprout after 4-8 weeks.

• The first year, seedlings will likely grow to just 1-3 feet tall.

• By the second or third year in the ground, young trees may reach 5-8 feet tall.

• Within 5-8 years total a well-cared for magnolia may begin blooming, but trees grown from seeds are slower to flower than grafted nursery trees.

• Certain magnolia species like star magnolia may bloom in as little as 3-4 years when grown from seed.

• Patience is required as it often takes at least a decade for magnolias started from seed to reach flowering size.

The wait is well worth it when your homegrown magnolia finally bursts forth with gorgeous blooms and fills your garden with beauty and fragrance year after year.

Growing magnolia trees from seeds or cuttings enables you to enjoy these classic beauties at a fraction of the cost of buying mature nursery trees. With proper care and adequate time to establish, homegrown magnolias can thrive for decades, providing elegant floral displays each year.