Red Maple vs Southern Magnolia

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

Red Maple

Acer rubrum

Aceraceae · trees

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Southern Magnolia

Magnolia grandiflora

Magnoliaceae · trees

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Red Maple (Zones 3-9)

Southern Magnolia (Zones 7-10)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 7–9

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Red Maple	Southern Magnolia
Scientific Name	Acer rubrum	Magnolia grandiflora
Family	Aceraceae	Magnoliaceae
Category	trees	trees
Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Adaptable	Rich, Well-drained, Acidic
Height	70'	80'
Spread	40'	40'
Bloom Season	Spring	Late Spring-Summer
Bloom Color	Red	White
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	Eastern North America	Southeastern US
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Red Maple

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Southern Magnolia

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Red Maple

✓Tolerates a wide range of soils.
✓Surface roots can be problematic in lawns.
✓Prune in summer to avoid bleeding sap.
✓Fast growing — 13-24 inches per year.

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 Red Maple if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 3–9.

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. They share similar sun requirements (full sun to part shade), making them potential garden companions.

View Red MapleProfile →View Southern MagnoliaProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Red Maple and Southern Magnolia grow in the same hardiness zone?

Red Maple grows in USDA zones 3-9, while Southern Magnolia grows in zones 7-10. Both plants can grow together in zones 7 through 9.

Do Red Maple and Southern Magnolia have the same sun and water needs?

Red Maple needs full sun to part shade and medium water, while Southern Magnolia needs full sun to part shade and medium water. They share similar growing requirements and can be planted in the same bed.

Which grows taller, Red Maple or Southern Magnolia?

Southern Magnolia grows taller at 80' compared to Red Maple at 70'. Southern Magnolia spreads 40' while Red Maple spreads 40'.

Are Red Maple and Southern Magnolia deer resistant?

Yes, both Red Maple and Southern Magnolia are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

Which is easier to maintain, Red Maple or Southern Magnolia?

Both Red Maple and Southern Magnolia have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Red Maple	Southern Magnolia
Scientific Name	Acer rubrum	Magnolia grandiflora
Family	Aceraceae	Magnoliaceae
Category	trees	trees
Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Adaptable	Rich, Well-drained, Acidic
Height	70'	80'
Spread	40'	40'
Bloom Season	Spring	Late Spring-Summer
Bloom Color	Red	White
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	Eastern North America	Southeastern US
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

Red Maple

✓Tolerates a wide range of soils.
✓Surface roots can be problematic in lawns.
✓Prune in summer to avoid bleeding sap.
✓Fast growing — 13-24 inches per year.

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 Red Maple if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 3–9.

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. They share similar sun requirements (full sun to part shade), making them potential garden companions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Red Maple and Southern Magnolia grow in the same hardiness zone?

Red Maple grows in USDA zones 3-9, while Southern Magnolia grows in zones 7-10. Both plants can grow together in zones 7 through 9.

Do Red Maple and Southern Magnolia have the same sun and water needs?

Which grows taller, Red Maple or Southern Magnolia?

Southern Magnolia grows taller at 80' compared to Red Maple at 70'. Southern Magnolia spreads 40' while Red Maple spreads 40'.

Are Red Maple and Southern Magnolia deer resistant?

Yes, both Red Maple and Southern Magnolia are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

Which is easier to maintain, Red Maple or Southern Magnolia?

Both Red Maple and Southern Magnolia have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.