Plum Tree vs Southern Magnolia

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

Plum Tree

Prunus domestica

Rosaceae · trees

EdibleMedium Maintenance

Southern Magnolia

Magnolia grandiflora

Magnoliaceae · trees

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Plum Tree (Zones 4-8)

Southern Magnolia (Zones 7-10)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 7–8

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Plum Tree	Southern Magnolia
Scientific Name	Prunus domestica	Magnolia grandiflora
Family	Rosaceae	Magnoliaceae
Category	trees	trees
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Well-drained	Rich, Well-drained, Acidic
Height	25'	80'
Spread	20'	40'
Bloom Season	Spring	Late Spring-Summer
Bloom Color	White	White
Growth Rate	Medium	Medium
Native Region	Europe, Western Asia	Southeastern US
Maintenance	Medium	Low

Special Traits

Plum Tree

Yes — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Southern Magnolia

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Plum Tree

✓Most need cross-pollination — plant compatible varieties.
✓Thin fruits to 4-6 inches apart.
✓Prune in summer to reduce disease.
✓Brown rot is the main disease concern.

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 Plum Tree if you don't mind medium maintenance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 4–8.

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 7–8. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View Plum TreeProfile →View Southern MagnoliaProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Plum Tree and Southern Magnolia grow in the same hardiness zone?

Plum Tree grows in USDA zones 4-8, while Southern Magnolia grows in zones 7-10. Both plants can grow together in zones 7 through 8.

Do Plum Tree and Southern Magnolia have the same sun and water needs?

Plum Tree 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, Plum Tree or Southern Magnolia?

Southern Magnolia grows taller at 80' compared to Plum Tree at 25'. Southern Magnolia spreads 40' while Plum Tree spreads 20'.

Are Plum Tree and Southern Magnolia deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Plum Tree or Southern Magnolia?

Plum Tree 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	Plum Tree	Southern Magnolia
Scientific Name	Prunus domestica	Magnolia grandiflora
Family	Rosaceae	Magnoliaceae
Category	trees	trees
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Well-drained	Rich, Well-drained, Acidic
Height	25'	80'
Spread	20'	40'
Bloom Season	Spring	Late Spring-Summer
Bloom Color	White	White
Growth Rate	Medium	Medium
Native Region	Europe, Western Asia	Southeastern US
Maintenance	Medium	Low

Care Tips

Plum Tree

✓Most need cross-pollination — plant compatible varieties.
✓Thin fruits to 4-6 inches apart.
✓Prune in summer to reduce disease.
✓Brown rot is the main disease concern.

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 Plum Tree if you don't mind medium maintenance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 4–8.

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 7–8. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Plum Tree and Southern Magnolia grow in the same hardiness zone?

Plum Tree grows in USDA zones 4-8, while Southern Magnolia grows in zones 7-10. Both plants can grow together in zones 7 through 8.

Do Plum Tree and Southern Magnolia have the same sun and water needs?

Plum Tree 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, Plum Tree or Southern Magnolia?

Southern Magnolia grows taller at 80' compared to Plum Tree at 25'. Southern Magnolia spreads 40' while Plum Tree spreads 20'.

Are Plum Tree and Southern Magnolia deer resistant?

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

Which is easier to maintain, Plum Tree or Southern Magnolia?

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