The research aimed to study the influence of the seed moisture content and storage temperature on Magnolia ovata (Magnoliaceae) seed conservation, a native Brazilian tree. Thus, recently harvested seeds with moisture content of 23.5% were dried to obtain seed lots with moisture content of 17.4 %, 10.9% and 7.1%. Then, seeds were placed in polyethylene bags and stored at 15°C and 20°C. Seeds were stored for 180 days, and were evaluated monthly for moisture content, seedling emergence, emergence index, speed of seedling emergence, seedling length and seedling dry mass. The physiological potential of M. ovata seeds was favored by drying seeds; seed conservation was favored by seed with 10.9% moisture content and 15°C or 20°C storage temperature.