Crape Myrtle Care: Full Sun, Pruning and Hardiness Zones

Crape myrtle is a summer-blooming deciduous shrub or small tree that wants full sun and good drainage, grows in roughly USDA zones 7 to 9, and should be pruned lightly in late winter, never topped. NC State describes it as grown for crepe-paper flowers, peeling bark and fall color, and says it resists deer, drought and pollution. Its size ranges widely, from about 6 feet to 30 feet by cultivar, so choosing the right one matters more than any pruning. The ASPCA lists crape myrtle as non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses.

USDA zones

7–9 (UMD Extension); 6b–9 (Virginia Tech)

Sun

Full sun

Origin

Asia

Soil

Good drainage; sand, loam or clay

Soil pH

4.5–7.3 (Virginia Tech)

Size

Shrubs to about 15 ft; tree forms 25–30 ft

Bloom time

Early or midsummer into early autumn

Prune

Late winter or early spring; never top

Pets

Non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses (ASPCA)

Zones and cold

UMD Extension says crape myrtle grows in USDA zones 7 to 9. Virginia Tech’s profile gives zone 6b (6a) to 9. Both NC State and Virginia Tech say that in zones 5 to 6 stems or the trunk may die back or be injured in winter, especially top growth, and that cold-hardy cultivars are available. NC State says to place it in a sheltered location protected from winter winds and to mulch the soil to protect the roots.

Sun and soil

NC State and UF/IFAS say full sun; Virginia Tech says partial shade to full sun. Virginia Tech says good drainage is required, and that it tolerates sandy, loam or clay soils with a pH range of 4.5 to 7.3. For water, Virginia Tech says moist to dry once established, and NC State says it resists drought.

Size: pick for the space

Virginia Tech says crape myrtles come as shrubs to about 15 feet and tree forms from 25 to 30 feet, and to choose a cultivar that fits the space. UF/IFAS says most tree types grow to 20 to 25 feet tall and that dwarf types are available. NC State gives a species range of 6 to 30 feet. Matching the cultivar to the space matters because the sources discourage heavy pruning to control size.

Pruning, and why not to top

Virginia Tech says to prune in late winter or early spring before new growth and to remove dead, broken or crossing wood. It says topping, or major pruning of the main branches, is strongly discouraged. NC State says severe pruning or topping should not be needed to control the plant’s size. Virginia Tech adds a pest reason: topping increases the susceptibility of succulent shoots to pest problems, especially aphids. Our pruning guide covers the cuts in detail.

1. Choose the right size at purchase. Dwarf, shrub and tree forms differ (Virginia Tech, UF/IFAS).
2. Late winter or early spring: prune lightly. Before new growth, remove dead, broken or crossing wood (Virginia Tech).
3. Do not top. Topping main branches is strongly discouraged (Virginia Tech, NC State).
4. Skip routine fertilizer. Virginia Tech says avoid it unless a soil test shows need, because excess increases suckering and cuts flowering.

When crape myrtle blooms

NC State says common crape myrtle blooms from July to September with numerous showy flowers. UMD Extension says flowering starts in early to midsummer and runs into early autumn depending on the cultivar. Flower colors range from white to true red and various shades of pink and purple (UMD Extension), over a hundred cultivars in all. To see how it fits with your other summer color, check our bloom calendar.

Propagation

NC State says to propagate by seed or stem cuttings.

Choosing a cultivar

Common crape myrtle problems

Grow these next

For a tree with a very different shape and season, see the Japanese maple guide. Our magnolia guide covers a flowering tree whose bloom time varies by species, and the kousa dogwood guide one that blooms in late spring.