What hardiness zones is Lagerstroemia spp. suitable for?

Lagerstroemia spp. is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 6, 7, 8, 9.

What are the sun requirements for Lagerstroemia spp.?

Lagerstroemia spp. requires Full Sun.

How much water does Lagerstroemia spp. need?

Lagerstroemia spp. has Medium water needs.

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Broadleaf Deciduous Trees

Lagerstroemia spp.

crape myrtle

LythraceaeEastern and southern Asia

At a Glance

TypeTree

HabitUpright

FoliageDeciduous

Height3-30 feet (0.9-9 m)

Width3-25 feet (0.9-7.5 m)

Maturity8 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

6 - 9

Zone 6

Zone 7

Zone 8

Zone 9

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators

Attracts Butterflies

Deer Resistant

Drought Tolerant

Container Friendly

Maintenancemoderate

Overview

Lagerstroemia spp. are deciduous trees or large shrubs ranging from 3-30 feet (0.9-9 m) tall depending on cultivar selection. The genus exhibits smooth, exfoliating bark in shades of cinnamon, tan, and gray that provides year-round visual interest. Leaves are opposite to sub-opposite, oval to oblong, 1-3 inches (2.5-8 cm) long, emerging bronze to reddish-purple in spring and maturing to dark green. Terminal panicles 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) long bear crinkled, crepe-textured flowers in shades of white, pink, lavender, red, or purple from mid-summer through early fall. Bloom period extends 60-90 days where summer heat is sufficient. Fall foliage turns shades of yellow, orange, and red. In the Pacific Northwest, performance depends heavily on cultivar selection and siting; the genus requires more heat than the region typically provides. Flowering is reduced or absent in cool, overcast summers, and plants sited in cool or shaded locations may not bloom. Cultivars bred for cold hardiness, such as those from the U.S. National Arboretum breeding program, are more reliable in USDA zones 7-9. In zones 6 and cooler parts of zone 7, dieback to the ground is common in winter, with regrowth from the base the following season. Powdery mildew is a persistent issue in humid conditions, though many modern cultivars show improved resistance.

Native Range

Native to eastern and southern Asia, from China and Japan south through the Indian subcontinent to northern Australia. Most cultivated forms derive from Lagerstroemia indica (native to China, Korea, and Japan) and its hybrids with Lagerstroemia fauriei (native to Japan).

Suggested Uses

Commonly planted as a specimen tree, in small groups, or as a street tree in warm-climate regions. In the Pacific Northwest, site against south-facing walls or near heat-absorbing pavement to increase bloom reliability. Dwarf cultivars 3-5 feet (0.9-1.5 m) tall are suitable for containers of at least 15 gallons (57 L).

How to Identify

Identified by terminal panicles of crinkled, crepe-textured flowers 1-1.5 inches (2.5-4 cm) across, borne in clusters 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) long. Bark is smooth and exfoliating in patches of cinnamon, tan, and gray. Leaves are opposite to sub-opposite, oval, 1-3 inches (2.5-8 cm) long, with smooth margins. Seed capsules are round, 0.5 inch (1.3 cm) in diameter, persisting through winter.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height3' - 30'

Width/Spread3' - 25'

Reaches mature size in approximately 8 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

pink

lavender

red

purple

Foliage Colors

green

bronze

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

orange

red

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~10 weeks

SummerFall

Mid-July through September in warm-summer areas; bloom may begin in August and extend into October in the Pacific Northwest where summer heat arrives late. In cool or overcast summers, flowering may be sparse or absent. Individual flowers last 1-2 weeks; total bloom period extends 8-12 weeks with adequate heat accumulation.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White, pink, lavender, red, or purple depending on cultivar

Foliage Description

Dark green, emerging bronze to reddish-purple in spring

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loamclaysand

Drainage

well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

5-10 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Water deeply once per week during the first two growing seasons. Established plants tolerate moderate drought but flower production decreases during dry periods exceeding 2-3 weeks. Site in the warmest available microclimate with reflected heat from pavement or south-facing walls to maximize bloom potential in the Pacific Northwest. Powdery mildew develops on susceptible cultivars during humid conditions; select resistant cultivars where this is a recurring issue. Japanese beetles feed on foliage and flowers in areas where the pest is established. Apply a 2-3 inch (5-8 cm) layer of mulch around the base, keeping it 3-4 inches (8-10 cm) from the trunk to prevent bark rot.

Pruning

Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges. Remove crossing, dead, or weak branches and thin interior to improve air circulation. In the Pacific Northwest, winter-killed stems should be cut back to live wood in spring. Avoid severe topping to stubs, which produces weak, whip-like growth and reduces flowering over time.

Pruning Schedule

late spring

Maintenance Level

moderate

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 15 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic