Star magnolia

Magnolia stellata

Family: Magnoliaceae

Pet & Human Safety

People: No hazard foundPets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

Hazardous parts

Not yet checked.

Preparation

Not applicable; this is an ornamental plant, and edibility was not researched (no safe-to-eat claim).

Hazard type

Not yet checked.

Hazard route

none named by our sources

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

ASPCA's Magnolia Bush page (Magnolia stellata) lists it as non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses. ASPCA is the only source we found, and one source is not enough to call a plant safe for pets, so it is not assessed as safe. Keep pets from eating it. Edibility is not researched: NC State's only edibility signal is bare tags with no descriptive detail, too thin to state as a safe-to-eat fact.

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

Get the app: coming soon

Care

Hardiness zones: 4a to 8b (NC State); UF/IFAS separately gives 5A to 8B for Florida planting guidance and says star magnolia is an excellent pick if you live in Northwest Florida or a colder microclimate.
Water needs: moderate
Mature size: 15 to 20.5 ft tall, 10 to 15 ft wide
Where it comes from: Native to South Central Honshu, Japan (highlands); introduced to the US in the 1860s; not native to North America.

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

Get the app: coming soon