If you’ve got a Michelia in your garden, you might notice something strange this time of year: just as the flowers are putting on a show, the leaves start to fall.
So this begs the question: Why is my flowering Michelia losing leaves?
It can look worrying — but the good news is, this is completely normal.
Why Your Michelia is Losing Leaves – and What Helps
Michelia trees pour everything they’ve got into producing flowers. All that effort means energy is pulled away from leaf growth for a while. The result? Older leaves start to yellow and drop off just as the flowers are blooming. It’s worth remembering that a tree leaf — even an evergreen — only has a lifespan of about a year. So, some leaf drop in spring is part of the natural cycle, especially when your Michelia is putting so much energy into flowering.
Early spring leaf drop is normal only in some varieties — particularly Michelia doltsopa ‘Silver Cloud’ and certain doltsopa and laevifolia selections. It’s generally not a problem unless the tree is planted in heavy, waterlogged soil or has poor drainage.
Here at Leafland, we often prune back some of the buds before they open.
Why? Because it forces the tree to balance its energy — fewer flowers now, but a much stronger flush of fresh, glossy leaves afterwards. It’s a simple trick to keep Michelia looking healthy and screening well year-round rather than exhausting themselves in one flowering burst.
Michelia respond well to regular trimming — yearly or even more often. This helps keep the tree looking tidy, encourages denser foliage, and balances energy between flowers and leaves. A light top feed in early spring also supports this process, giving the tree extra nutrients to maintain strong new growth and reducing leaf drop during flowering.
To support your Michelia’s health and reduce leaf drop, consider using these fertilisers:
Daltons Premium Tree & Shrub Fertiliser (1.5kg)
Available at Bunnings
View Product
Tui Enrich Fruit, Citrus, Tree & Shrub Controlled Release Fertiliser (1kg)
Available at Mitre 10
View Product
Tui Enrich Rose, Camellia, Azalea & Gardenia Controlled Release Fertiliser (500g)
Available at Mitre 10
View Product
What’s Normal (and What’s Not)
✅ Normal:
- Yellowing or dropping of older leaves while flowering is heavy
- New green shoots appearing once flowers finish
⚠️ Not normal:
- Widespread browning or black spotting
- No new buds or leaf growth after flowering
- Signs of stress from poor drainage, overwatering, or pests
What to Expect Next
Once flowering wraps up, healthy Michelia trees quickly replace old leaves with fresh new growth. By summer, your tree should be covered in a strong, healthy canopy again — ready for the next season.
A little mulch, steady watering, and avoiding heavy, wet clay soil will help your Michelia thrive. They prefer well-drained soil and will reward you with strong flowers and healthy new leaves.
Want to see the Michelia varieties we grow at Leafland? Browse Michelia here →
Please note: the correct names for these varieties are Fairy Magnolia® Blush and Fairy Magnolia® White. The name Michelia is still widely used and helps gardeners identify these specific evergreens. For more information on Michelias, see Petal Pushers – The Jury Michelias.
Need More Help? Send Us a Photo.
If you’re still unsure about your Michelia’s health or have specific concerns, we’re here to assist. Email us a photo of your tree, and our team will provide advice to help you get it back on track.