Chrysanthemum vs Southern Magnolia

Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?

Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemum morifolium

Asteraceae · flowers

EdibleMedium Maintenance

Southern Magnolia

Magnolia grandiflora

Magnoliaceae · trees

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Chrysanthemum (Zones 5-9)

Southern Magnolia (Zones 7-10)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 7–9

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Chrysanthemum	Southern Magnolia
Scientific Name	Chrysanthemum morifolium	Magnolia grandiflora
Family	Asteraceae	Magnoliaceae
Category	flowers	trees
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Well-drained	Rich, Well-drained, Acidic
Height	3'	80'
Spread	2'	40'
Bloom Season	Fall	Late Spring-Summer
Bloom Color	Yellow, Red, White, Purple	White
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	East Asia	Southeastern US
Maintenance	Medium	Low

Special Traits

Chrysanthemum

Yes — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Southern Magnolia

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Chrysanthemum

✓Pinch stems until July 4th for bushier plants.
✓Provide winter mulch in cold zones.
✓Divide every 2-3 years.
✓Disbud for larger blooms.

Southern Magnolia

✓Protect from winter winds in northern range.
✓Give space for lower branches to sweep the ground.
✓Leaves are slow to decompose.
✓Large seed pods with red seeds.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Chrysanthemum if you don't mind medium maintenance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 5–9.

Choose Southern Magnolia if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 7–10.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 7–9. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View ChrysanthemumProfile →View Southern MagnoliaProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Chrysanthemum and Southern Magnolia grow in the same hardiness zone?

Chrysanthemum grows in USDA zones 5-9, while Southern Magnolia grows in zones 7-10. Both plants can grow together in zones 7 through 9.

Do Chrysanthemum and Southern Magnolia have the same sun and water needs?

Chrysanthemum needs full sun and medium water, while Southern Magnolia needs full sun to part shade and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Chrysanthemum or Southern Magnolia?

Southern Magnolia grows taller at 80' compared to Chrysanthemum at 3'. Southern Magnolia spreads 40' while Chrysanthemum spreads 2'.

Are Chrysanthemum and Southern Magnolia deer resistant?

Southern Magnolia is deer resistant, but Chrysanthemum is not. If deer are a concern, Southern Magnolia is the better choice, or protect Chrysanthemum with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, Chrysanthemum or Southern Magnolia?

Chrysanthemum has medium maintenance while Southern Magnolia has low maintenance. Southern Magnolia may be easier for beginning gardeners to manage.

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Chrysanthemum	Southern Magnolia
Scientific Name	Chrysanthemum morifolium	Magnolia grandiflora
Family	Asteraceae	Magnoliaceae
Category	flowers	trees
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Well-drained	Rich, Well-drained, Acidic
Height	3'	80'
Spread	2'	40'
Bloom Season	Fall	Late Spring-Summer
Bloom Color	Yellow, Red, White, Purple	White
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	East Asia	Southeastern US
Maintenance	Medium	Low

Care Tips

Chrysanthemum

✓Pinch stems until July 4th for bushier plants.
✓Provide winter mulch in cold zones.
✓Divide every 2-3 years.
✓Disbud for larger blooms.

Southern Magnolia

✓Protect from winter winds in northern range.
✓Give space for lower branches to sweep the ground.
✓Leaves are slow to decompose.
✓Large seed pods with red seeds.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Chrysanthemum if you don't mind medium maintenance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 5–9.

Choose Southern Magnolia if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 7–10.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 7–9. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Chrysanthemum and Southern Magnolia grow in the same hardiness zone?

Chrysanthemum grows in USDA zones 5-9, while Southern Magnolia grows in zones 7-10. Both plants can grow together in zones 7 through 9.

Do Chrysanthemum and Southern Magnolia have the same sun and water needs?

Chrysanthemum needs full sun and medium water, while Southern Magnolia needs full sun to part shade and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Chrysanthemum or Southern Magnolia?

Southern Magnolia grows taller at 80' compared to Chrysanthemum at 3'. Southern Magnolia spreads 40' while Chrysanthemum spreads 2'.

Are Chrysanthemum and Southern Magnolia deer resistant?

Southern Magnolia is deer resistant, but Chrysanthemum is not. If deer are a concern, Southern Magnolia is the better choice, or protect Chrysanthemum with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, Chrysanthemum or Southern Magnolia?

Chrysanthemum has medium maintenance while Southern Magnolia has low maintenance. Southern Magnolia may be easier for beginning gardeners to manage.