The Banana Magnolia is a lovely flowering, evergreen shrub in the Magnolia family that grows at a medium rate to 6 to 10 feet tall with an equal spread and a dense, upright, oval to rounded habit. After reaching 10 feet, it will continue to grow more slowly, eventually reaching 20 feet high. This plant blooms in mid to late spring and has fragrant cream to yellow flowers that smell like ripe cantaloupe or banana. Some cultivars have flowers up to 4 inches in diameter. The genus name honors Pierre Magnol, a 17th century French botanist. The species name derives from its description on Macao where the first specimen was found ( fula meaning "flower" and figo meaning "banana") referring to the intense banana-like fragrance of the blooms. This plant must be planted in a location protected from strong winds. It prefers partial shade, but tolerates full sun (although the leaves may turn yellow-green). The plant does best in evenly moist, well-drained, fertile, acidic, sandy loam in organic matter. It is frost tender and grows in USDA zones 7 to 10, but does best in zones 8 to 10. This plant can be severely pruned and is slightly salt tolerant. Prune soon after the bloom period, as flower bud formation for next year occurs by early summer. In areas near zone 7, avoid locating plants in southern exposures that may induce buds to open too early in spring. A late frost can damage blossoms. Provide consistent and regular moisture throughout the year and avoid soils that are too dry or wet. Mulch the root zone in winter. The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on Banana Magnolia. Quick ID Hints: Brown pubescence under leaves and on buds Cup-shaped, ivory flower smells like ripe bananas Evergreen shrub with magnolia-like leaves Axillary flower buds at 30 degrees to stem Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: This plant has no significant pest or disease problems. Scale may be an issue. More information on Magnolia .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12-24 feet
NC region
Coastal
Mature size
Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in. | Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Dense; Mounding; Oval
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Oblanceolate; Obovate; Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Glossy; Waxy
Leaf size
3-6 inches long
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Leaves are alternate, simple, oval to obovate to oblanceolate, acute, cuneate, entire, and brown pubescent below. The leaves have a lustrous dark green color and become yellowish green in the winter. They grow between 3 to 5 inches long and are attractive throughout the year.
Fall color
Gold/Yellow
Flower color
Cream/Tan; Gold/Yellow; Green; Purple/Lavender
Flower value
Fragrant; Showy
Flower form
Head
Flower shape
Cup
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Flowers are cream colored and tinged with purple or green or yellow. They are fragrant, cupulate, axillary, up to 1 1/2 inches in size with erect tepals (6-9). Buds emerge at a 30 degree angle to the stem. They bloom April to June and are covered in rusty brown pubescence.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Gray/Silver
Stem detail
Stems are green, pubescent, and turn gray/brown and glabrous. Pith is white and chambered.