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How to Prune Crape Myrtle: Late Winter, No Topping

When to prune crape myrtle: late winter to early spring, why it blooms on new wood, which cuts to make and why topping, or crape murder, is discouraged.

Iris BellPublished Oct 25, 2026 · Updated Oct 25, 2026 · 3 min read
Magenta-pink crape myrtle flower cluster with frilly petals among dark green leaves
Photo: John Brighenti from Rockville, MD, United States, CC BY 2.0

Prune crape myrtle in late winter to early spring, before new growth starts, and make light cuts rather than topping it. Crape myrtles flower on new wood, so late-winter pruning does not remove the year’s bloom. UF/IFAS says late winter is the optimal time. Topping, often called crape murder, is discouraged by both UF/IFAS and Virginia Tech. This guide sits under our crape myrtle care guide.

When to prune

UF/IFAS says late winter is the optimal time to prune crape myrtles. UGA says late winter to early spring is the most ideal time. Virginia Tech’s guidance is the same window, before new growth begins. Arkansas Extension is the most specific: it says the time to prune is February, before new growth begins.

Best window

Late winter to early spring, before new growth starts (UF/IFAS, UGA, Virginia Tech). Arkansas Extension says February.

Avoid

Fall. Arkansas Extension says pruning in the fall can expose crape myrtles to winter damage if the winter is cold.

Why timing is forgiving

Virginia Tech describes crape myrtles as producing flowers from new wood, or current-season stems. Because the flowers come on that season’s growth, late-winter pruning does not remove the year’s bloom.

Which cuts to make

Virginia Tech separates two kinds of cut. If only part of a branch needs to go, make a heading cut above an outward-facing bud or side branch. If a whole branch needs to come out, use a thinning cut just outside the branch collar.

  1. Wait for late winter. Cut before new growth begins (UF/IFAS, UGA, Virginia Tech).
  2. Take out dead or damaged wood. UF/IFAS lists dead or damaged branches and twigs among the things to remove.
  3. Remove suckers. UF/IFAS says to remove suckers, the small sprouts that can develop along main stems or roots.
  4. Shorten partial branches with a heading cut. Cut above an outward-facing bud or side branch (Virginia Tech).
  5. Remove whole branches with a thinning cut. Cut just outside the branch collar (Virginia Tech).

Spent flowers and seed capsules

UF/IFAS says you can also remove spent flowers and seed capsules, along with dead or damaged branches and twigs.

What topping is, and why not to do it

Topping, which Virginia Tech’s pruning guide calls major pruning of the main branches, is what the term crape murder describes. Virginia Tech strongly discourages it and adds a pest reason: topping increases the susceptibility of succulent shoots to pest problems, especially aphids. NC State says severe pruning or topping should not be needed to control the plant’s size. Virginia Tech traces the practice to a misconception: that crape myrtles need to be severely cut back in late winter or early spring to flower well in summer. UF/IFAS says to learn how to prune correctly so you can avoid topping.

If you keep wanting to cut it back UF/IFAS says a crape myrtle that would need routine pruning to fit its space should be replaced with a smaller-growing one. Choosing the right cultivar at purchase saves the work. Dwarf, shrub and tree forms differ in size (Virginia Tech, UF/IFAS).

Mistakes to avoid

CuttingTopping the main branchesDiscouraged by UF/IFAS and Virginia Tech as the unhealthy practice of crape murder.TimingPruning in fallArkansas Extension says it can expose the plant to winter damage if the winter is cold.SizeFighting the cultivarUF/IFAS suggests swapping in a smaller-growing crape myrtle instead of constant pruning.

For zones, sun and everything else, see our crape myrtle care guide.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to prune crape myrtle?

Late winter to early spring, before new growth starts. UF/IFAS calls late winter the optimal time, UGA says late winter to early spring is the most ideal, and Arkansas Extension says February, before new growth begins.

Can I prune crape myrtle in fall?

Arkansas Extension advises against it. It says fall pruning can expose the plant to winter damage if the winter turns cold.

Do crape myrtles need severe pruning to flower?

No. Virginia Tech says crape myrtles flower on new wood, meaning current-season stems, and calls the belief that severe late-winter cuts are needed for summer flowers a misconception that led to the unhealthy practice of topping.

What is crape murder?

It is the common name for topping, the practice of cutting main branches back hard. UF/IFAS and Virginia Tech both discourage it.

What should I do if my crape myrtle is too big for its spot?

UF/IFAS says a plant that would need routine pruning to fit its space should be replaced with a smaller-growing crape myrtle.

Sources

  1. Pruning Crapemyrtles, Virginia Tech, Virginia Cooperative Extension
  2. Pruning Crapemyrtles, UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions
  3. Crape Myrtle Pruning, UF/IFAS Solutions for Your Life
  4. Pruning Crape Myrtles: How to Avoid Crape Murder, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, Glynn and McIntosh counties
  5. Crape Myrtle, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
  6. Crape Myrtle Profile (2901-1040), Virginia Cooperative Extension
  7. Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica), NC State Extension Plant Toolbox