Crape myrtle is a deciduous shrub that produces pink flowers with wrinkled petals. It’s native to the Indian Subcontinent and some parts of Asia, and it’s a popular ornamental plant in the Southern United States where it’s called lilac of the south. It has dark green foliage that changes to yellow, orange, and sometimes red in the fall.
Crape myrtle needs regular watering during the first year of establishment. After that, it can survive on rainfall alone if there's adequate moisture. To encourage healthy growth, water deeply once a week during the dry season.
Place it in an area that receives at least six hours of full sun to produce abundant and colorful flowers. While it does tolerate partial shade, it tends to produce fewer and less vibrant blooms.
The plant can grow in most types of soil, given it's well-drained. It prefers neutral or slightly acidic soil but can tolerate alkaline soil if amended with organic matter.
Though not a heavy feeder, the plant can benefit from a balanced fertilizer applied once or twice a year in spring and summer.
Prune the plant in late winter or early spring, before new growth emerges. It's best to thin out some of the inner branches to improve light penetration and air circulation. Also, cut back any suckers or unwanted shoots from the base or roots. To encourage new buds, cut back the previous year's flower clusters.
Propagating is fairly easy and can be achieved by seed, cutting, or layering. Collect the seeds from ripe pods in fall and sow in spring. Take the cuttings from semi-hardwood stems in summer and root in moist, well-draining sand. To layer, bend a low branch to the ground and cover part of it with soil until roots form.
Outdoor
The plant is not toxic to humans or animals
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Last Updated: August 1, 2023
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