Crape Myrtle
A multi-season ornamental tree featuring crinkled crepe-paper flowers in summer, colorful fall foliage, and attractive peeling bark for winter interest.

On this pageOverview
Meet Crape Myrtle
A multi-season ornamental tree featuring crinkled crepe-paper flowers in summer, colorful fall foliage, and attractive peeling bark for winter interest. Crape myrtles bloom on new wood, so prune in late winter to encourage vigorous flowering shoots, but avoid the common mistake of severe topping cuts. They thrive in heat and tolerate drought once established, making them ideal for hot, sunny locations. Choose mildew-resistant cultivars and provide full sun with good air circulation to prevent powdery mildew.
When to plant Crape Myrtle
Crape myrtle seeds form inside small round capsules that ripen in fall and persist through winter. Collect seed capsules when they turn brown and dry, shaking out the tiny seeds. Seeds require no stratification and germinate readily at 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Sow on the surface of moist seed-starting mix and press gently without covering, as seeds need light to germinate. Keep consistently moist under fluorescent lights. Germination occurs in 2 to 3 weeks. Seedlings grow rapidly and may bloom in the second year from seed, though flower color and form will vary from the parent plant. Named cultivars must be propagated from softwood cuttings taken in early summer.
We watch the calendar so you don't have to
Tell us where you garden once. We line your sow and harvest windows up with your local season — and nudge you the moment each one opens.
See your exact Crape Myrtle dates
Share your location once and we'll line every sow and harvest date up with your real local season — not a generic seed-packet guess.
Used once to set your season · never sharedHow to grow Crape Myrtle
Crape myrtle is the quintessential summer-flowering tree for warm climates, offering months of colorful blooms from midsummer through fall when few other trees are in flower. Choose a site with full sun for maximum flowering, as shade significantly reduces bloom production and encourages powdery mildew. Crape myrtles thrive in heat and tolerate drought once established, making them ideal for hot, dry locations. Plant in well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5 to 7.5.
Plant container-grown specimens in spring or fall. Space 10 to 20 feet apart depending on mature size of the cultivar. Water deeply at planting and weekly during the first growing season. Once established, crape myrtles need supplemental water only during extended drought periods.
Pruning is the most misunderstood aspect of crape myrtle care. The common practice of severe topping, often called crape murder, produces ugly knobby stubs and weakens the tree over time. Instead, prune in late winter by removing crossing branches, suckers from the base, and interior twigs smaller than a pencil. Selectively thin to enhance the natural vase shape and reveal the beautiful mottled exfoliating bark, which is one of the tree's finest ornamental features.
The bed planner spaces every plant for you
Pick a bed size and PlotMyGarden spaces your Crape Myrtle at 500 cm, counts how many fit, and lays the block out before you buy a single seed.
Crape Myrtle's best neighbours
Crape myrtle's summer bloom period fills the gap between spring-flowering trees and fall color, making it a valuable companion in mixed borders. Underplant with sun-loving perennials like daylilies, coneflowers, and black-eyed Susans that bloom simultaneously. Ornamental grasses provide textural contrast and movement. Low-growing evergreen groundcovers like liriope and mondo grass fill in beneath the canopy year-round. Spring-flowering bulbs and perennials provide early-season interest before the crape myrtle leafs out.
It flags clashes before you plant, not after
Every plant you place is checked against its neighbours in real time. Good matches glow green; conflicts get flagged on the spot — so a season-wrecking mistake never makes it into the ground.
Feed it well
Crape myrtle thrives in well-drained soil and tolerates a wide pH range from 5.5 to 7.5. It grows well in sandy, loamy, or clay soils as long as drainage is adequate. Avoid chronically wet sites where root rot becomes a problem. Fertilize in early spring with a balanced slow-release fertilizer. Avoid excessive nitrogen that promotes vegetative growth at the expense of flowering. Mulch with 2 to 3 inches of organic matter to conserve moisture and suppress weeds, but keep mulch away from the trunk base.
Ideal Temperature
Hardiness Zone Compatibility
From seed to harvest, stage by stage
Dormancy & Bud Swell
The tree is leafless through winter. Underground root activity resumes as soil temperatures rise above 7°C (45°F). Buds begin to swell in late winter, signaling the approach of a new growth cycle.
Leaf Emergence & Vegetative Growth
New leaves unfurl with a characteristic bronze or reddish tinge. Vigorous shoot extension occurs as temperatures consistently exceed 15°C (59°F). The canopy fills out rapidly during this period.
Flower Bud Formation
Flower buds develop on new growth at the tips of current-season shoots. The panicle structures become visible as small green clusters. This stage is critical for determining bloom abundance.
Bloom Period
Masses of crinkled, crepe-like flowers open in panicles up to 30 cm long. Colors range from white through pink, lavender, red, and deep purple depending on cultivar. Blooming continues for 60 to 120 days when spent panicles are removed.
Seed Set & Fall Color
Round green seed capsules develop and gradually turn brown. Foliage transitions to brilliant shades of orange, red, and yellow before dropping. The exfoliating bark becomes the primary ornamental feature.
Winter Rest & Structural Display
The tree is fully dormant with bare branches revealing the attractive mottled bark. The sculptural form of mature specimens provides significant winter landscape interest. Root growth may continue in mild climates.
Apply a 7-10 cm layer of mulch around the root zone to insulate roots and conserve soil moisture. Avoid pruning until buds begin to swell.
Caring for Crape Myrtle month by month
What to do each month for your Crape Myrtle
July
You are hereNo specific care tasks for this month.
Harvesting Crape Myrtle
Crape myrtle is grown purely as an ornamental and is not harvested for food. The flower panicles are sometimes cut for fresh or dried flower arrangements. Cut flower clusters when about three-quarters of the florets have opened. The exfoliating bark that peels in patches to reveal smooth, colorful underbark in shades of cinnamon, cream, gray, and pink is one of the most attractive bark displays of any landscape tree.

We count the days and tell you when to pick
Tell us when you planted and PlotMyGarden tracks the 1095-day countdown to harvest, then pings you the day your Crape Myrtle is ready.
Storage & Preservation
Fresh-cut crape myrtle flower panicles last 5 to 7 days in water. For dried arrangements, cut flower clusters at peak bloom and hang upside down in a warm, dark, well-ventilated area for 2 to 3 weeks. Dried flowers retain good color and form for several months. The attractive seed heads can also be dried for winter arrangements. Bark fragments that peel naturally from the trunk can be collected for craft projects.
What goes wrong — and the fix
Powdery Mildew
DiseaseWhite powdery coating on leaves, flower buds, and young stems, especially in humid weather with poor air circulation. Affected leaves curl and distort, and flower production is reduced.
Crape Myrtle Bark Scale
PestWhite to gray felt-like encrustations on bark of branches and trunk. Heavy honeydew production results in black sooty mold covering bark, branches, and nearby surfaces. Pink blood-like substance visible when scale is crushed.
Cercospora Leaf Spot
DiseaseDark brown spots on leaves beginning on lower branches in mid to late summer. Affected leaves turn yellow, red, or orange and drop prematurely.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Crape murder, the severe topping of crape myrtles each winter, is the most common landscape mistake. This practice destroys the natural form, produces weak, whip-like growth, and creates permanent ugly knobs. Powdery mildew on susceptible cultivars is extremely common; always select resistant varieties. Crape myrtle bark scale is an invasive pest spreading across the South that can heavily coat trunks and branches. Aphid infestations produce sticky honeydew and sooty mold. Failure to bloom usually indicates too much shade, excessive nitrogen, or insufficient heat. Root sprouts require regular removal.
Growing Tips
- Plant in full sun with at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily; insufficient light drastically reduces flowering and promotes leggy, weak growth.
- Space trees at least 3 to 5 meters apart to ensure adequate air circulation, which is the single most effective cultural practice for preventing powdery mildew.
- Avoid heavy clay soils that retain standing water; crape myrtles prefer well-drained loamy or sandy loam soils with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5.
- Water deeply but infrequently once established — approximately 2.5 cm per week during the growing season. Overwatering encourages root rot and shallow root development.
- Never top or 'crape murder' your tree by cutting main trunks to stubs; instead, prune selectively by removing suckers, crossing branches, and interior twiggy growth in late winter.
- Select cultivars bred for disease resistance, such as the National Arboretum hybrids (Natchez, Tuscarora, Muskogee, Sioux), to avoid chronic powdery mildew issues.
- Apply a 7-10 cm layer of organic mulch (pine bark, wood chips) around the base but keep it 10-15 cm away from the trunk to prevent bark rot and rodent damage.
- Deadhead spent flower panicles throughout summer to stimulate additional bloom cycles; this simple practice can extend the flowering season by 4 to 6 weeks.
- In USDA Zone 6 and colder pockets of Zone 7, plant on the south or west side of a building for winter wind protection and additional radiant heat.
- Monitor for crape myrtle bark scale (Acanthococcus lagerstroemiae), a relatively new invasive pest; treat early infestations with systemic imidacloprid or horticultural oil applications in late spring.
Pick your Crape Myrtle
Natchez
Pure white flowers on a tall vigorous tree reaching 25 to 30 feet with stunning cinnamon-brown exfoliating bark. Outstanding mildew resistance. One of the finest crape myrtles ever introduced.
Tuscarora
Coral-pink flowers on a vigorous tree to 25 feet with handsome light brown bark. Excellent mildew resistance. Strong upright vase shape with good fall color.
Dynamite
Brilliant cherry-red flowers on a compact tree to 15 to 20 feet. Blooms heavily from mid-summer through fall. Good mildew resistance and excellent red-orange fall color.
Muskogee
Soft lavender flowers on a tall tree to 25 feet with gray-brown bark. Outstanding mildew resistance. One of the best choices for a tall lavender-flowering specimen.
Black Diamond Series
Compact cultivars with near-black foliage and vibrant flowers in red, crimson, and pink. Reaches 10 to 12 feet tall. Dramatic foliage contrast makes flowers pop.
A single crape myrtle tree can increase residential property value by an estimated 1–3% according to arboricultural appraisals, while providing decades of low-maintenance ornamental beauty. Mature specimens eliminate the need for expensive seasonal flower beds in the landscape, saving hundreds of dollars annually on annuals and labor. Their dense summer canopy also provides shade that can reduce cooling costs by 10–15% for nearby structures.
Quick recipes

Crape Myrtle Flower Honey Infusion
10 minutes plus 2 weeks steepingFresh crape myrtle blossoms are layered into raw honey and left to infuse for two weeks, imparting a delicate floral flavor perfect for drizzling over cheese, yogurt, or warm biscuits.
3 ingredients
Crape Myrtle Petal Garnish Ice Cubes
15 minutes plus 4 hours freezingIndividual crape myrtle petals are suspended in ice cubes using a two-stage freezing method, creating stunning garnishes for summer beverages, lemonades, and cocktails.
3 ingredients
Crape Myrtle Bark Tea (Traditional)
20 minutesA traditional Asian preparation where dried crape myrtle bark is simmered gently to produce a mild, slightly astringent herbal tea historically used as a digestive aid. Consult a healthcare provider before consuming.
4 ingredientsWhat's inside
Health Benefits
- Bark extracts contain corosolic acid, which has been studied for its potential role in supporting healthy blood sugar regulation.
- Ellagic acid found in crape myrtle leaves and bark exhibits antioxidant properties that may help neutralize free radicals in laboratory settings.
- Traditional folk medicine in parts of Asia has used bark decoctions as a mild astringent for digestive comfort.
- The abundant summer flowers attract bees and beneficial pollinators, contributing to local ecosystem health and biodiversity.
- Planting crape myrtles in urban environments helps reduce heat island effects, lower ambient temperatures, and improve local air quality.
- Spending time among flowering ornamental trees like crape myrtles has been associated with reduced stress levels and improved psychological well-being in multiple horticultural therapy studies.
Where Crape Myrtle comes from
Lagerstroemia indica is native to a broad swath of eastern and southern Asia, including China, Korea, Japan, and the Indian subcontinent, where it has been cultivated for thousands of years as an ornamental tree. Historical records from China's Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE) describe crape myrtles adorning imperial gardens and temple courtyards, prized for their extended summer bloom and graceful form. The species was introduced to Europe in the mid-eighteenth century, arriving in England around 1759, and was subsequently brought to the American South in the early nineteenth century, where the warm, humid climate proved ideal. Charleston, South Carolina, and Natchitoches, Louisiana, became early centers of crape myrtle cultivation, and the trees are now iconic elements of the southern landscape. Throughout the twentieth century, Dr. Donald Egolf at the U.S. National Arboretum in Washington, D.C., crossed Lagerstroemia indica with the Japanese species Lagerstroemia fauriei to produce hybrid cultivars with superior disease resistance, cold hardiness, and striking bark characteristics. These hybrids — named after Native American tribes such as Natchez, Tuscarora, and Muskogee — transformed crape myrtle culture by dramatically reducing susceptibility to powdery mildew. Today Lagerstroemia indica and its hybrids are planted across USDA Hardiness Zones 6 through 10, from the Mid-Atlantic states through Texas and California, and are among the most widely sold ornamental trees in the United States.
Crape Myrtle: did you know?
Fascinating facts about Crape Myrtle
Crape myrtles are sometimes called the 'lilac of the South' because they fill a similar ornamental role in warm climates where true lilacs cannot thrive.
Crape Myrtle questions, answered
When should I plant Crape Myrtle?
What are good companion plants for Crape Myrtle?
What hardiness zones can Crape Myrtle grow in?
How much sun does Crape Myrtle need?
How far apart should I space Crape Myrtle?
What pests and diseases affect Crape Myrtle?
How do I store Crape Myrtle after harvest?
What are the best Crape Myrtle varieties to grow?
What soil does Crape Myrtle need?
When is the best time to plant a crape myrtle?
Why is my crape myrtle not blooming?
How do I prevent and treat powdery mildew on crape myrtles?
Can crape myrtles survive in cold climates north of Zone 7?
What is 'crape murder' and why should I avoid it?
How fast do crape myrtles grow and how large do they get?
You just read the theory. Now grow it on autopilot.
Everything that makes Crape Myrtle fiddly — the timing, the spacing, the companions, the harvest window — is exactly what PlotMyGarden handles for you, for every plant in your garden.
A plan that knows your weather
Set your location once. Get sow, feed and harvest dates built around your real last-frost date and live forecast — no more guessing from a generic seed packet.
From the “When to plant” sectionDrag-and-drop bed planner
Design beds on a grid. Every plant snaps to its proper spacing, and you can see your whole season laid out before you spend a cent on seed.
From the “Growing guide” sectionCompanion conflicts, caught early
200+ good-and-bad pairings checked live as you plant — so a season-wrecking mistake never makes it into the ground.
From the “Companions” sectionReminders you'll actually act on
“Water the beans.” “Pick today before it turns.” Timely, specific, and tied to the plants you're really growing.
From the “Harvest” sectionSuccession, scheduled
Want a harvest for six weeks, not six days? It spaces your sowings automatically and reminds you when each new block is due.
From the “When to plant” sectionA record that gets smarter
Every harvest you log teaches it your garden. Next year's plan starts from what actually worked in your soil, not a textbook's.
From the “Overview” sectionPlant these alongside Crape Myrtle
More Ornamental Trees
Grow your best Crape Myrtle yet — and everything around it.
Start a free plan today. Lay out your beds, drop in your Crape Myrtle, and let PlotMyGarden handle the timing, spacing, companions and reminders from seed to harvest basket.







