Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica), also known as Crepe Myrtle, is a deciduous shrub or small tree, with ornamental flowering and widely used in urban forestry. Its popularity is due to the exuberance of its flowers, which range in shades of pink, white, lilac, and red, and its ability to adapt to different urban environments. Moreover, its compact crown and non-aggressive roots make it ideal for sidewalks and areas with underground infrastructure.
The genus name Lagerstroemia was named in honor of Magnus von Lagerström, a Swedish merchant and director of the Swedish East India Company, who provided plant specimens to the botanist Carl Linnaeus. The specific epithet “indica” refers to India, one of the species’ countries of origin, highlighting its Asian provenance.
Native to Asia, specifically from China, India, Japan, and the Himalayan regions, Lagerstroemia indica has adapted well to various climatic conditions. In its natural habitat, it grows in open forest areas and riverbanks, preferring well-drained soils and full sun exposure. Its introduction to other regions of the world occurred due to its ornamental qualities and adaptability, and it is now cultivated in various parts of the globe, where it is widely used in urban forestry.
Crape Myrtle has been cultivated for over a thousand years in Asia, being highly valued in China and Japan for both its ornamental beauty and its symbolism. In China, it was common in imperial gardens and associated with longevity, elegance, and resilience. In Japan, where it is known as “sarusuberi“, which can be translated as “monkey slipping”, a reference to the smooth and slippery bark of the trunk. The plant is also revered for its delicate appearance and long-lasting flowering. Its presence in traditional gardens and temples reflects a deep connection with East Asian aesthetics, which values the contrast between the solidity of the stem and the ephemeral nature of the flowers.
Its ability to bloom intensely even after periods of drought or adversity is often associated with perseverance and spiritual renewal. In traditional Chinese medicine, extracts from the plant have been used in topical treatments, although its therapeutic use is not widely spread today. In East Asian art, particularly in paintings from the Edo period in Japan, the Crape Myrtle is depicted as a symbol of delicacy amidst strength, serving as a metaphor for natural resilience.
During the 18th century, specimens of Lagerstroemia indica were introduced to Europe through trade routes between Asia and the European continent, especially via the botanical gardens proliferating in France, England, and the Netherlands. Its success in European soil is attributed to its ability to acclimate in Mediterranean regions, with hot summers and mild winters.
Later, it reached North America, where it gained immense popularity, especially in the southern United States. The French botanist Andr\u00e9 Michaux was responsible for its introduction in the USA around 1790. Since then, the Crape Myrtle has become a part of the urban landscape in cities like Charleston, Atlanta, and New Orleans, where it is considered one of the main elements of ornamental tree planting.
The Crape Myrtle is a medium-sized tree, with a growth habit that is predominantly shrubby or arboreal, reaching between 10 to 26 feet (3 to 8 meters) in height in urban conditions, and up to 33 feet (10 meters) in ideal environments. It is a deciduous species, meaning it loses its leaves during the winter. It features a woody stem and upright or somewhat irregular branching, especially when cultivated ornamentally. Although often trained with a single trunk, the plant is naturally branched from the base. When trained as a small tree, it is common to continuously prune the branches that emerge at the base of the plant.
Its texture is woody, with relatively hard and durable wood. The bark of the trunk is one of the most distinctive characteristics of the species: smooth, with a color that varies between beige and light gray, often peeling in thin plates, revealing pinkish or brownish internal hues. This aspect of the bark contributes to a distinct ornamental appearance even outside the flowering period.
It has a taproot system, with generally shallow growth, which favors its use in urban spaces, although it can go deeper in looser and well-drained soils. The roots are not aggressive, which prevents damage to sidewalks and adjacent structures. The young branches are thin, erect to arched, greenish or reddish in color, and become more grayish with age.
The leaves are simple, opposite or nearly opposite, arranged in pairs along the branches. They have an elliptical to obovate shape, with entire margins, a rounded or slightly acute apex, and a tapered base. They measure between 0.8 to 3.1 inches (2 to 8 centimeters) in length and 0.4 to 1.6 inches (1 to 4 centimeters) in width. The texture of the leaves is leathery, with a bright green color on the upper surface and a lighter green on the underside. During the fall, in regions with subtropical to temperate climates, they can acquire yellow, orange, or reddish hues before falling.
The inflorescence of Crape Myrtle is a terminal panicle, erect, with multiple branches that support numerous flowers, giving it a dense and showy appearance. The panicles can measure between 3.9 to 9.8 inches (10 to 25 centimeters) in length, and may exceed this size in well-developed specimens. The species is monoecious, with hermaphroditic flowers, meaning each flower has both male (stamens) and female (carpels) structures. Blooming predominantly occurs during the spring and summer months, varying according to geographic region.
The flowers of Crape Myrtle are pentamerous, consisting of five delicate petals with wavy or crinkled margins, giving them a wrinkled and ornamental look. They display a variety of colors, including shades of pink, lilac, white, red, and less frequently, purple. The petals are attached to a bell-shaped calyx, which persists after the petals fall. The stamens are numerous and unequal, with the outer ones larger than the inner ones. Pollination is carried out by insects, especially bees, attracted by the vibrant colors and the nectar produced by the flowers.
The fruit is a dry, dehiscent capsule, globular to oval in shape, measuring between 0.4 to 0.8 inches (1 to 2 centimeters) in length. When mature, the capsule opens into six longitudinal valves, releasing winged seeds that are primarily dispersed by the wind. The seeds are small, flattened, and have a membranous wing that facilitates their anemochoric dispersion. Fruiting occurs shortly after the end of flowering, extending through the late summer and fall. The capsules persist on the plant for long periods, even after the petals have fallen.
Crape Myrtle has a wide variety of cultivars and hybrids, resulting from breeding programs aimed at enhancing ornamental and adaptive characteristics. Among the most notable hybrids are those developed by the U.S. National Arboretum, which crossed L. indica with L. fauriei, a Japanese species known for its disease resistance and cold tolerance. These hybrids, often called Lagerstroemia × egolfii, combine the floral exuberance of Crape Myrtle with the robustness and ornamental bark of the Japanese species, resulting in cultivars widely used in urban and ornamental landscaping.
Among the varieties, cultivars, and hybrids of Lagerstroemia indica, the following stand out:
- ‘Dynamite’: Developed through selection, this cultivar features intense red flowers and a medium size, reaching between 13 to 20 feet (4 to 6 meters) in height. It is known for its abundant flowering and resistance to common species diseases.
- ‘Petite Plum®’: A dwarf cultivar of L. indica, characterized by its compact growth, reaching about 3.3 feet (1 meter) in height. It presents intense purple flowers and is ideal for pot cultivation or small gardens.
- ‘With Love® Babe’: This series of L. indica is appreciated for its resistance to a wide range of temperatures, enduring from -0.4°F to 105.8°F (-18°C to 41°C). It features flowers of various colors and is suitable for various climates.
- ‘Lafayette’: A selection of L. indica that stands out for its pure white flowers and moderate growth. It is often used in landscaping due to its elegance and adaptability to different environments.
- ‘With Love® Eternal’: This dwarf series of L. indica, up to 2 feet (60cm) in height, presents flowers of various colors and is ideal for cultivation in pots or small spaces. Its compact size and exuberant flowering make it popular in ornamental gardens.
- ‘Lagerstroemia indica f. alba‘: A form of L. indica characterized by its white flowers and attractive bark. It is a resistant and adaptable variety, appreciated for its beauty and ease of cultivation.
- ‘Natchez’: A hybrid cultivar between L. indica and L. fauriei, features white flowers and smooth cinnamon-colored bark. It reaches up to 30 feet (9 meters) in height and is resistant to powdery mildew.
- ‘Tuscarora’: Also a hybrid of L. indica with L. fauriei, it has vibrant salmon-pink flowers and ornamental bark. It grows up to 23 feet (7 meters) and is resistant to fungal diseases.
- ‘Muskogee’: A result of crossing L. indica with L. fauriei, it features lavender flowers and prolonged blooming. It reaches up to 30 feet (9 meters) and has good cold resistance.
- ‘Sioux’: A hybrid cultivar of L. indica and L. fauriei, with dark pink flowers and foliage that turns reddish in autumn. It grows up to 20 feet (6 meters) and is resistant to powdery mildew.
- ‘Hopi’: A dwarf cultivar, hybrid of L. indica and L. fauriei, with light pink flowers and a maximum height of 10 feet (3 meters). Ideal for small gardens and pots.
Crape Myrtle is widely recognized as one of the most versatile ornamental species for composing urban and residential gardens, and it plays a prominent role in modern landscaping. Its application ranges from the greening of public roads to use in residential, commercial, and institutional gardens, due to a series of attributes that combine aesthetic value, functionality, and low maintenance requirements.
In urban greening, Crape Myrtle is often used on sidewalks, avenues, and squares, due to its controlled size and the absence of aggressive roots. These characteristics allow its cultivation close to sidewalks, walls, and buildings without the risk of structural damage. Moreover, the deciduous habit of the species favors the entry of sunlight during the winter, while its dense canopy provides shade in the summer, promoting thermal and visual comfort in the urban environment.
The dense and prolonged inflorescences make Crape Myrtle a species with significant visual impact in tropical and subtropical landscaping. This characteristic, combined with the variability of colors among the cultivars—from white to purple—allows for the creation of different landscape compositions, both in rows and masses as well as in arrangements with other species. Its flowering, which can last up to 120 consecutive days, ensures color in the garden for extended periods.
The use of Crape Myrtle also extends to gardens with oriental, Mediterranean, and tropical inspirations, where its texture, bark coloration, and branch architecture lend elegance and depth to green spaces. In formal gardens, it can be shaped through specific pruning to form small single-trunk trees. In informal or natural gardens, its multi-stemmed shrub form allows for a more loose and organic use. In both approaches, the continuous flowering and seasonal variation of the leaves—which turn yellowish and reddish hues in the fall—enhance visual attractiveness throughout the year.
The use of dwarf cultivars in pots, window boxes, and borders is another interesting application in contemporary landscaping. With heights ranging from 1.6 to 4.9 feet (0.5 to 1.5 meters), these compact cultivars are suitable for balconies, patios, and building entrances, where space is limited but a focal point of color and texture is desired. These cultivars are also effective in xeriscape garden projects due to their good drought tolerance once established.
Crape Myrtle is appreciated for attracting pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, which contributes to urban biodiversity. However, its use in tree planting projects should not be seen as a universal solution, especially when it involves replacing native species that are more adapted to the local ecosystem and have greater ecological value for wildlife. The excessive and repetitive adoption of Crape Myrtle, as occurs in some cities, can result in monotonous and visually impoverished landscapes.
In addition to attractive flowering and autumnal leaf colors, another relevant factor in the landscaping use of Lagerstroemia indica is the texture and color of its bark, which stands out even during the leafless period. The smooth, peeling bark reveals marbled patterns and shades ranging from light gray to pinkish brown, creating a point of visual interest during the winter. The species’ resistance to air pollution also allows its use in areas of heavy traffic, where other plants tend to show vegetative decline. Hybrid cultivars with Lagerstroemia fauriei are preferred in subtropical and temperate climates due to their resistance to powdery mildew and greater cold tolerance.
Crape Myrtle requires direct sunlight for at least six hours a day to bloom intensely. Semi-shaded environments result in exaggerated foliage growth, with a significant reduction in flowering. The ideal climate for growing Crape Myrtle is tropical or subtropical, with good adaptation in regions of warm temperate climate, especially for hybrid cultivars, which may even lose their aerial parts in harsh winters but sprout again in spring.
The ideal temperature range varies between 68°F and 90°F (20°C and 32°C), although the species tolerates higher temperatures and also withstands short periods of cold, including light frosts down to about 23°F (–5°C). Crape Myrtle withstands intense heat, moderate winds, and even salty breezes, allowing its cultivation in coastal regions. Although drought-resistant when well-established, it may suffer in compacted and excessively moist soils.
It prefers fertile, loamy-sandy soils, rich in organic matter with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (between 5.5 and 7.0). For potting mixes, it is recommended to use a mixture of garden soil, coarse sand, and organic compost in equal parts, with efficient drainage at the bottom of the container to prevent waterlogging. Excess soil moisture compromises the root system and promotes the occurrence of fungal diseases.
Planting of seedlings should preferably be done at the beginning of the rainy season, ensuring better root development. It is recommended to dig planting pits twice the size of the root ball, incorporating organic matter and natural phosphate. After planting, staking is essential in the first months to ensure upright growth, especially in windy locations. Watering should be regular in the first weeks after planting, keeping the soil slightly moist. After establishment, Crape Myrtle shows good drought tolerance, although supplemental irrigation during dry periods promotes more vigorous flowering.
Annual fertilization with organic compost or NPK fertilizers with a balanced formulation (10-10-10) contributes to good vegetative and floral development. At the beginning of spring, a phosphorus-rich fertilization (P) stimulates flower formation. Pruning should be carried out at the end of winter, removing dry, crossed, or poorly formed branches, as well as directing growth according to the intended landscape use, whether as a shrub or a small tree with a single trunk. This pruning stimulates the emission of new flowering branches, as the species blooms on the current year’s shoots.
The species can be sensitive to some pests and diseases, especially when grown in poorly ventilated or overly moist locations. The main pests include scale insects, aphids, and mites, which primarily affect leaves and new shoots. Among the fungal diseases, powdery mildew (Erysiphe lagerstroemiae) is notable, forming a white powder on the leaves, especially in older and susceptible cultivars. The incidence is higher in conditions of high humidity and low ventilation. The use of specific fungicides, such as Bordeaux mixture, pruning for cleanliness, and proper spacing between plants help minimize the problem.
Propagation of Crape Myrtle can be done either by seeds or by cuttings. Seed propagation, although feasible, results in plants with great variability and is rarely used for commercial cultivars. Cuttings, however, are the preferred method for reproducing specific cultivars, ensuring the maintenance of desired characteristics. The cuttings should be semi-hardwood, about 8 inches (20 cm) long, and can be rooted in sandy substrate under conditions of partial shade and high humidity, with the application of rooting hormone. The average time until the first flowering varies depending on the propagation method and cultivation conditions, being approximately two to three years from planting by cuttings, and up to four years from seeds.
