Cucumber magnolia (Magnolia acuminata) and yellow cucumber magnolia (Magnolia acuminata subsp. subcordata) are two native magnolia trees that are known for their sweet-smelling yellow flowers and cucumber-shaped fruit. Cucumber magnolias can grow in cold climates as far north as Canada and are the tallest of the native magnolias. Yellow cucumber magnolias are a subspecies of cucumber magnolias, but they are native to warmer areas (PA to FL). Because these trees are native, they thrive with regular rainfall after being established. Scroll on to meet them both.
Cucumber Magnolias
Part of our Beginner’s Guide to Native Magnolias
This plant is one of the species featured in our Beginner’s Guide to Native Magnolias.
Head to the complete guide for planting basics, species comparisons, and beginner-friendly tips.
What’s the difference between cucumber magnolia and yellow cucumber magnolia?
You would think that it would only be color, but they have more differences than that. Each cucumber magnolia handles cold temperatures differently (a plant’s ability to handle frost and snow is called its hardiness.) Here’s how they’re different:
Cucumber Magnolia
MAGNOLIA ACUMINATA
- Super cold hardy: can be grown from Canada to FL (the only magnolia native to Canada)
- Yellow-green flowers
- Tallest of the native magnolias: grows up to 100 feet
- Most widespread native magnolia
Yellow Cucumber Magnolia
Magnolia Acuminata SUBSP. Subcordata
- Doesn’t like cold: grows from PA to FL
- Yellow flowers
- Petite tree: tops out around 30 feet tall
- Native to a smaller area than the cucumber
Where is cucumber magnolia native?
Cucumber magnolia (Magnolia acuminata) has the widest native range out of any North American magnolia. It is native from as far north as Ontario to down south in Florida, and it is the only magnolia native to Canada. See the full range map at the USDA PLANTS Database.
Where is cucumber magnolia native?
Native to 23 US states and 1 Canadian province (Ontario)
Source: USDA PLANTS Database
How to grow cucumber magnolias
Where to plant
Cucumber magnolias like wetter areas. In nature, they are often found in or near swamps and bogs. If you’re planting in a non-wet area, be sure to give them water during dry periods, particularly during the first year when they are getting established.
Cucumber magnolias also like full sun to part sun. The only thing they don’t like is full shade. The more sun they get, the more leaves and flowers they will be able to produce.
Spacing
This magnolia likes space, so roughly 25 to 35 feet will do. However, it can grow bigger, so if you have extra space, your plant will be happier.
Watering
Water thoroughly while the roots are establishing. After that, they should do well as long as the soil remains moist. Make sure to water them during dry spells.
25-35 ft wide
When to plant
This depends on your climate. In general, deciduous magnolias are best planted when they are still dormant. This allows them to focus on putting out roots while they establish. The Magnolia Society recommends planting “late fall or winter in warmer climates and early spring in cold climates.” If you are doing a spring planting, take extra care to water your new magnolia to prepare it for the coming summer.
What to plant with cucumber magnolias
There are so many great native plant options to plant with cucumber magnolias! Some great pairings include:
Where can you buy a cucumber magnolia?
Finding specific native plants like cucumber magnolias can be challenging, especially when visiting conventional plant nurseries. To make the search easier, we’ve put together four resources for native plants:
Where can I find seeds and plants?
Finding native plants can be challenging (we partly blame King Louis XVI.) To make it easier, we’ve assembled four sourcing ideas.
300+ native nurseries make finding one a breeze
Explore 100+ native-friendly eCommerce sites
Every state and province has a native plant society; find yours
Online Communities
Local Facebook groups are a great plant source
That concludes our love letter to cucumber magnolias! These beautiful native trees should be better known and found more easily in our gardens. No matter if you live in a warm climate in Florida or a snowy winter wonderland in Canada: there is a cucumber magnolia for you. Don’t forget to visit our Guide to Native Magnolias to meet the other magnolias of North America. Happy planting!
Written by Emily Lessard. Emily is the founder and editor of The Plant Native. She is a Sustainable Landscapes-certified gardener through the Pennsylvania Landscape & Nursery Association, is finishing a Native Plant Landscaping certificate at Temple University, and is the author of The World of Native Plants (Quarto, February 2027).
Sources
Sources
- USDA, Cucumbertree
- Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Cucumber Magnolia
