Abstract: A greenhouse experiment was conducted to understand the effects of nutrient deficiency on the growth of Michelia macclurei. Seedlings were subjected to nine nutrient treatments, i.e. complete nutrient mixture (CK), minus nitrogen (N), minus phosphorus (P), minus potassium (K), minus calcium (Ca), minus magnesium (Mg), minus sulfur (S), minus iron (Fe) and minus trace elements (Te). Symptoms were observed and the growth, leaf area, chlorophyll, root activity and biomass were assessed. The results showed that the effect of N deficiency was the most obvious and significantly different from that of the CK. The symptoms included the slower growth and weaker seedlings with small and yellowish leaf blades. Deficiency of other elements did not affect height, diameter, root activity and chlorophyll, but there were significant differences in leaf area, biomass and root/shoot ratio compared to the CK. Therefore, N was the main factor affecting M. macclurei seedling growth. The results of this study provide a theoretical basis for efficient cultivation of M. macclurei.