Crepe Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica)

How much light does a Crepe Myrtle need?

Full sun outdoors, meaning six or more hours of direct sunlight a day, is what crepe myrtle needs to grow and bloom well. Both NC State Extension and University of Florida IFAS Extension name full sun as the exposure this plant needs. No other light level is listed as acceptable for this plant outdoors.

• Light: Full sun^1,2

How often to water a Crepe Myrtle

Established crepe myrtle plants tolerate soil that runs dry as well as soil that stays occasionally wet. That tolerance ranges from dry soil up to medium-wet soil once the plant is established outdoors. Well-drained soil that can be occasionally dry or occasionally wet suits this species best.

• Water: Dry to wet¹

Best soil for a Crepe Myrtle

Well-drained soil that has been well prepared suits crepe myrtle best. That soil can also run occasionally dry or occasionally wet without being a problem for this plant. Keep the soil pH slightly acidic, in the range of 5.0 to 6.5. Clemson Cooperative Extension recommends that pH range for this species. A pH of 5.0 to 6.5 counts as slightly acidic rather than neutral or alkaline garden soil.

• Soil drainage: Well drained, occasionally dry and occasionally wet³
• Soil pH: pH 5–6.5³

Hardiness and temperature

USDA hardiness zones 7a through 9a mark where crepe myrtle is winter hardy outdoors. Zone 7a is the coldest zone in that range. Zone 9a is the warmest zone in that range. University of Florida IFAS Extension lists this zone range for the species. Gardeners in zone 7a sit at the cold edge of this plant's outdoor range. Gardeners in zone 9a sit at the warm edge of the same range. No source cited here states a specific minimum temperature for this plant.

• Hardiness: Zones 7a–9a⁴

Fertilizing a Crepe Myrtle

Light applications of a complete fertilizer in spring and summer are enough to feed crepe myrtle outdoors. Clemson Cooperative Extension describes this approach as adequate for the plant. A complete fertilizer used this way meets the plant's outdoor feeding needs, according to that source.

• Fertilizer: Light, once a year³

Pruning a Crepe Myrtle

Light shaping, deadheading, removing dead wood, or a harder renewal cut are all pruning options for crepe myrtle. Do this pruning in late winter or early spring to stimulate new growth. Clemson Cooperative Extension recommends that late-winter-to-early-spring window for pruning this plant when it is needed.

• Pruning: Light shaping, Deadheading, Remove dead growth only and Hard renewal pruning (Feb–Mar)⁵

How to plant a Crepe Myrtle

Choosing a planting site for crepe myrtle starts with checking your USDA hardiness zone, since it grows outdoors year-round only in zones 7a through 9a. Pick a spot in full sun, since that is the light level this species needs outdoors. Give it room to reach its mature size, since it can grow 10 to 30 ft (3.05-9.14 m) tall and spread 15 to 25 ft (4.57-7.62 m) wide. Prepare the site with well-drained soil, since that is the soil condition this plant needs. Once established, it tolerates soil that runs dry as well as soil that stays occasionally wet.

• Hardiness: Zones 7a–9a⁴

Winter care

Zone 7a and zone 9a mark the edges of where crepe myrtle is winter hardy outdoors. University of Florida IFAS Extension gives this zone range for the species. Gardeners in zone 7a are at the cool end of this plant's hardy range. Gardeners in zone 9a are at the warm end of the same range. Within zones 7a through 9a, this plant is listed as hardy enough to stay outdoors year-round. That is the full cold-hardiness picture these sources give for this species. No source cited here gives an exact minimum temperature for winter survival.

• Hardiness: Zones 7a–9a⁴

How to propagate a Crepe Myrtle

You can propagate crepe myrtle from seed or from a stem cutting. NC State Extension names both of these as methods for starting new plants of this species. University of Florida IFAS Extension also lists cuttings or seed as ways to propagate it. Either method listed by these sources will start a new crepe myrtle plant.

• Propagation: Seed and stem cuttings^1,2

Common problems

Crepe myrtle can attract aphids, scale insects, crapemyrtle bark scale, and flea beetles. It can also develop powdery mildew and leaf spot. Clemson Cooperative Extension lists aphids among the pests that affect this plant. The same source lists powdery mildew as one of its diseases. Leaf spot is the other disease commonly reported for this plant, alongside powdery mildew.

• Common pests: aphids, scale insects, crapemyrtle bark scale and flea beetles³
• Common diseases: powdery mildew and leaf spot³

Questions and answers

Is crepe myrtle toxic to cats or dogs?

Crepe myrtle is not toxic to cats or dogs, according to the ASPCA. NC State Extension's Plant Toolbox also lists it as non-toxic for both pets.

What kind of light does crepe myrtle need outdoors?

Crepe myrtle needs full sun outdoors, meaning six or more hours of direct sunlight a day. Both NC State Extension and University of Florida IFAS Extension list full sun as this plant's preferred exposure.

How do you propagate crepe myrtle?

You can propagate crepe myrtle from seed or from a stem cutting. NC State Extension and University of Florida IFAS Extension both list these two methods for starting new plants.