5 Gorgeous White Magnolia Seeds
 
Scarify Magnolia Seeds
Scrub magnolia seeds with a paper towel to remove the red pulpy coating.  If the seed coat doesn’t come off, try soaking the seeds in water overnight to soften them – throwing away any that float.
 
Once you’ve removed the seed coat, rough up the surface of the seed a little (called “scarifying”) by lightly scrubbing the seed with a piece of sandpaper, screen wire, or steel wool.  This removes protective oils and makes it easier for the seed to break open and sprout.
 
Stratifying Magnolia Seeds
Allow the seeds to rest for 3-6 months at around 4°C to 7°C, without drying out.  There are three ways to do this:
 
Refrigerator:  The easiest way is to mix the seeds with moist seed-starting mix or peat, place in a plastic bag or container, and stick them in the fridge for the winter.
Cold Frame:  Alternately, you can plant the seeds about 1cm deep in a seed tray or small pot, then put it in a cold frame.  Be sure to keep the soil moist all winter and protect it from freezing temperatures.
Outdoors:  If you prefer nature’s approach, you can plant the seeds outdoors, about 1cm deep, with a layer of mulch to hold in moisture.  If you plant them outdoors, keep in mind that they may not survive if they freeze or dry out, and they’ll be an easy snack for hungry squirrels!
 
Plant Magnolia Seeds
When temperatures reach around 21°C in the spring, plant your magnolia seeds either in the ground or in pots, about 1cm deep in a light planting medium.  Keep evenly moist until the seeds germinate, which usually takes a few weeks or longer.
 
Grow Magnolia Trees
Transplant seedlings to their permanent homes or grow them in pots until they’re a little bigger.  Keep the seedlings evenly moist and protected from direct sun for the first year.