Join / Renew / Gift Donate Shop Member Portal Language

Search
npsot_bluebonnet_full_color

Native Plant Society of Texas

Sweetbay Magnolia

Magnolia virginiana

Other common name(s):

Sweetbay, Southern Sweetbay, Swampbay, Swamp Magnolia, Sweet Magnolia, Small Magnolia, Laurel Magnolia, White Bay, White Laurel, Swamp Laurel, Beaver Tree

Family:

Magnoliaceae (Magnolia Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Flatwoods, Southern Tertiary Uplands

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Tree

Height

10
to
20
ft.

Spread

10
to
15
ft.

Leaf Retention

Semi Evergreen

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Clay, Poor Drainage, Moist

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Medium

Native Habitat

Woodland, Wetland or Riparian

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer

Seasonal Interest

Seeds, Nectar, Pollen, Larval Host

Wildlife Benefit

Beetles, Butterflies, Birds, Moths

Maintenance

Slow growing. Prune after blooming during the growing season because dormant magnolias do not easily heal. Can also handle Houston monsoons. Propagation: seed, semi-hardwood cutting.

Comments

Blooms April-July. A multi-trunked tree with smooth gray bark. Smaller than Southern Magnolia (M. grandiflora), Sweetbay is a good size for small yards. Leaves are thinner with white undersides, turning yellow/brown in winter, with a spicy aroma. Four to six-inch white blooms have a lemony fragrance, developing over 3 days. Red seeds are clustered on a 2″ oval woody cone. Larval host: Sweetbay Silkmoth, Tiger, and Spicebush Swallowtail butterflies.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Magnolia virginiana var. australis, Magnolia virginiana var. parva

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed Stratification When ripe, the seeds are bright red, fleshy, oily, soft on the outside and stony on the inside. Gather when ripe. Clean and store https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=MAVI2
Semi-harwood Cutting Taken in summer. Stored seed must be kept moist and cool which will also serve as stratification.

Sweetbay Magnolia

Magnolia virginiana

Other names:

Sweetbay, Southern Sweetbay, Swampbay, Swamp Magnolia, Sweet Magnolia, Small Magnolia, Laurel Magnolia, White Bay, White Laurel, Swamp Laurel, Beaver Tree

Family:

Magnoliaceae (Magnolia Family)

Characteristics
Growth Form:
Tree
Height:
10
to
20
ft.
Spread:
10
to
15
ft.
Leaf Retention:
Semi Evergreen
Lifespan:
Perennial
Soil:
Sand, Loam, Clay, Poor Drainage, Moist
Light:
Sun, Part Shade
Water:
Medium
Native Habitat:
Woodland, Wetland or Riparian
Photo Credit: Paul Montgomery
Photo Credit: Michael Eason
Photo Credit: Makin, Julie, https://www.wildflower.org/gallery/result.php?id_image=33544
Photo Credit: Holmes, James Garland, https://www.wildflower.org/gallery/result.php?id_image=56899
Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Flatwoods, Southern Tertiary Uplands
Color:
White
Season:
Spring, Summer
Seasonal Interest:
Seeds, Nectar, Pollen, Larval Host
Wildlife Benefit:
Beetles, Butterflies, Birds, Moths
Slow growing. Prune after blooming during the growing season because dormant magnolias do not easily heal. Can also handle Houston monsoons. Propagation: seed, semi-hardwood cutting.
Blooms April-July. A multi-trunked tree with smooth gray bark. Smaller than Southern Magnolia (M. grandiflora), Sweetbay is a good size for small yards. Leaves are thinner with white undersides, turning yellow/brown in winter, with a spicy aroma. Four to six-inch white blooms have a lemony fragrance, developing over 3 days. Red seeds are clustered on a 2″ oval woody cone. Larval host: Sweetbay Silkmoth, Tiger, and Spicebush Swallowtail butterflies.

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed Stratification When ripe, the seeds are bright red, fleshy, oily, soft on the outside and stony on the inside. Gather when ripe. Clean and store https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=MAVI2
Semi-harwood Cutting Taken in summer. Stored seed must be kept moist and cool which will also serve as stratification.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Magnolia virginiana var. australis, Magnolia virginiana var. parva

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our four host chapters (New Braunfels, Lindheimer, Guadalupe, and the Hill Country chapters) are located in one or both of the ecoregions above. However, the eastern portion of Guadalupe County also falls within the Post Oak Savanna ecoregion. Annual rainfall averages 35 to 45 inches, with higher averages to the east. A wide variety of hardwood trees are found, including several species of oaks, elms, and in the Bastrop area, loblolly pine (Pinus taeda). Grasses and forbs dominate in the open savannas, with most common grass being little bluestem. Ranching, agriculture, and fire suppression have allowed woody species to encroach on the once-open savannas.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason