Crepe myrtle Lagerstroemia indica
Crepe myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) is a deciduous perennial tree in the Lythraceae family. It grows 4–8 m (13–26 ft) tall and 3–6 m (10–20 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -12 °C (10 °F). Space plants about 4 m (13 ft) apart.
Plan Crepe myrtle in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Crepe myrtle at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Lythraceae |
| Mature height | 4–8 m (13–26 ft) |
| Mature spread | 3–6 m (10–20 ft) |
| Spacing | 4 m (13 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 7 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Cold hardiness | About -12 °C (10 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 42 °C (108 °F) |
| Flowering | from about June for 13–17 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇨🇳 China, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇦🇺 Australia |
Is Crepe myrtle toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Crepe myrtle is not known to be toxic to people, cats or dogs.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Crepe myrtle
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Crepe myrtle
- How far apart should I plant Crepe myrtle?
- About 4 m (13 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 3–6 m (10–20 ft).
- Does Crepe myrtle need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 7 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Crepe myrtle need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Crepe myrtle?
- It tolerates about -12 °C (10 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8.
- When does Crepe myrtle flower?
- From about June for 13–17 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Crepe myrtle poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Crepe myrtle is not known to be toxic to people, cats or dogs.
- What grows well with Crepe myrtle?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Crepe myrtle. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-cultivar values; varieties differ.
- Needs summer heat for best flowering.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Pomegranate Punica granatum
- Mangrove apple (perepat) Sonneratia alba
- Henna Lawsonia inermis
- Queen’s crape myrtle (banaba) Lagerstroemia speciosa
- Mexican heather (false heather) Cuphea hyssopifolia
- Cigar plant Cuphea ignea
- Thai crape myrtle (tabaek) Lagerstroemia floribunda
- Dwarf mountain pine Pinus mugo