Overwintering guide
How to overwinter southern magnolia 'little gem'
Winter watering
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
The mistake that kills southern magnolia 'little gem' in winter
Cutting southern magnolia 'little gem' hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.
More southern magnolia 'little gem' care
- Overwintering southern magnolia — the species this cultivar belongs to
- Full southern magnolia 'little gem' care guide
- Southern Magnolia 'Little Gem' temperature range
- How often to water southern magnolia 'little gem'
- How to prune southern magnolia 'little gem'
- Common southern magnolia 'little gem' problems & fixes
- Best plant identifier apps — tested and ranked
Overwintering southern magnolia 'little gem' — FAQ
Does southern magnolia 'little gem' need to come indoors for winter?
Southern Magnolia 'Little Gem' is hardy to roughly USDA zone 7 — winter lows around -18°C. That means it can stay outside all winter in most temperate gardens. Southern Magnolia 'Little Gem' is properly hardy and overwinters outside without fuss. Tidy away anything dead or diseased, apply a mulch over the crown to steady soil temperatures, and otherwise leave it alone — many hardy plants actually need a cold period to flower and grow well the following year. Save hard pruning for the right season rather than doing it in autumn.
When should I move southern magnolia 'little gem' for winter?
Tidy and mulch in late autumn; leave the plant undisturbed until spring.
How often should I water southern magnolia 'little gem' in winter?
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
What kills southern magnolia 'little gem' over winter?
Cutting southern magnolia 'little gem' hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.