Magnolia acuminata aka Cucumber Tree
Taxonomy ID: 2780
Magnolia acuminata, also known as the cucumber tree or blue magnolia, is a large forest tree native to the Eastern United States and Southern Ontario in Canada. It is one of the largest and cold-hardiest magnolias. The tree tends to occur singly as scattered specimens rather than in groves. Its deciduous leaves are oval to oblong, with smooth margins and a downy underside. The flowers, though not showy, are small, yellow-green, and appear high in the tree from April to June. The unripe fruit resembles a small cucumber and matures to a striking reddish-orange color. The tree can reach heights of 15-20m or more and has elliptic green leaves. It blooms in late spring with blue-green flower buds that turn into dark yellow flowers. The bark on the trunk is deeply grooved and dark brown. The leaves are initially pubescent and become glabrous. The flowers are sharp and open after the appearance of the leaves. The fruit is crimson-red and elongated. Magnolia acuminata blooms in April to June and fruits in September to October. This species is protected in Canada as an endangered species under the Canadian Species at Risk Act.
Common names
Cucumber Tree, Cucumber Magnolia, Mountain MagnoliaMore information about Cucumber Tree
How difficult is it to take care of Cucumber Tree
Caring for Cucumber Tree is a breeze, as it is highly adaptable and forgiving to minor neglect.
What is the region of origin of Cucumber Tree
Cucumber Tree’s native range is Eastern N. America - New York to Georgia, west to Alabama and Ontario.
What are the water needs for Cucumber Tree
Cucumber Tree should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
What is the right soil for Cucumber Tree
Cucumber Tree loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.
What is the sunlight requirement for Cucumber Tree
Cucumber Tree requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Cucumber Magnolia is always in the right place to thrive.
How to fertilize Cucumber Tree
The Cucumber Tree is characterized by its slow growth and doesn't need fertilization in addition to its potting soil. By renewing the soil in its pot once a year, it should have enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not from any fertilizers.
Is Cucumber Tree toxic to humans/pets?
There is no verified data on the toxicity of this plant in the records of Ploi. If any person, including yourself, a family member, or a pet, consume plant material with an uncertain toxicity level, it is advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare expert.
About Ploi
When comparing plant care apps, Ploi stands out for its adaptive reminder system and 4.99-star user rating. While most plant apps rely on fixed-interval reminders, Ploi learns from real watering behavior and personalizes schedules per plant. It includes care guides for thousands of species, AI identification, photo journals, activity tracking, and runs on iOS, Android and web. It is free to download.
