It is native to the mountains of Costa Rica and western Panama.

[1] Magnolia gloriensis is native to the mountains of Costa Rica and western Panama.

[1] Magnolia gloriensis lives in humid submontane and lower montane forests, from 600 to 1,800 meters elevation.

In the Monteverde region of northwestern Costa Rica it is found at 600 meters elevation.

Its conservation status is assessed as data deficient.