Thai crape myrtle (tabaek) Lagerstroemia floribunda
Thai crape myrtle (tabaek) (Lagerstroemia floribunda) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Lythraceae family, native to Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia and Peninsular Malaysia. It grows 8–18 m (26–59 ft) tall and 6–10 m (20–33 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about 5 °C (41 °F). Space plants about 7 m (23 ft) apart.
Plan Thai crape myrtle (tabaek) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Thai crape myrtle (tabaek) at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Lythraceae |
| Mature height | 8–18 m (26–59 ft) |
| Mature spread | 6–10 m (20–33 ft) |
| Spacing | 7 m (23 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance moderate |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 5 °C (41 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 11) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 40 °C (104 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 6–13 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia and Peninsular Malaysia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇲🇾 Malaysia, 🇸🇬 Singapore |
Is Thai crape myrtle (tabaek) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not reported as poisonous.
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 Thai crape myrtle (tabaek)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Thai crape myrtle (tabaek)
- How far apart should I plant Thai crape myrtle (tabaek)?
- About 7 m (23 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 6–10 m (20–33 ft).
- Does Thai crape myrtle (tabaek) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Thai crape myrtle (tabaek) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance moderate.
- How cold-hardy is Thai crape myrtle (tabaek)?
- It tolerates about 5 °C (41 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 11.
- When does Thai crape myrtle (tabaek) flower?
- From about April for 6–13 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Thai crape myrtle (tabaek) 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. Not reported as poisonous.
- What grows well with Thai crape myrtle (tabaek)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Thai crape myrtle (tabaek). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Thai Plant Names (Tem Smitinand), revised edition, Forest Herbarium, Royal Forest Department, Bangkok
- Flora & Fauna Web, National Parks Board, Singapore
Notes and assumptions
- Tropical: needs warm nights all year; in a frosty climate grow it under glass or as a summer container plant.
- Smooth, mottled bark and large plumes of crinkled flowers that open pink-mauve and fade to white, so a tree shows both at once. The fruit calyx is covered in brown hairs, which tells it apart from queen's crape myrtle.
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
- Crepe myrtle Lagerstroemia indica
- 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
- Dwarf mountain pine Pinus mugo