Crape myrtle care guide: when & how to prune, fertilize and spray
Lagerstroemia indica · USDA zones 7–10
Summer-flowering small tree or shrub with peeling bark. It blooms on new wood. Choose a variety that fits the space instead of topping it (so-called 'crape murder').
☀️ Sun
Full sun, or mildew sets in and flowering drops.
💧 Water
Drought-tolerant once established.
🪱 Soil
pH 5.0–6.5. Well-drained. Little needed.
How and when to prune crape myrtle
Late-winter shaping (no topping)
When: 2–8 weeks before the last spring frost.
- zones 6–7: about Feb 18 – Apr 1
- zones 8–10: about Dec 31 – Feb 11
Topping trunks back to stubs makes weak, whip-like growth and ruins the natural form. Light pruning keeps a graceful tree shape.
- Remove suckers from the base and sprouts along the lower trunks.
- Remove branches that cross, rub, or grow toward the center.
- Cut back to the trunk any side branches below about 4–5 ft (1.2–1.5 m) to show off the bark.
- Remove old seed heads only if you can reach them easily. It's optional.
- Never cut the main trunks back to stubs.
Tools: Bypass pruners, Loppers, Pole pruner
Snip spent blooms for a second flush
When: 14–17 weeks after the last spring frost.
- zones 6–7: about Jul 22 – Aug 12
- zones 8–10: about Jun 3–24
Removing the first round of seed heads, where you can reach them, often brings a second bloom.
- Clip off faded flower clusters before seed pods form.
Fertilizing crape myrtle
Spring feeding
When: 2–6 weeks after the last spring frost.
- zones 6–7: about Apr 29 – May 27
- zones 8–10: about Mar 11 – Apr 8
A single spring feeding as growth starts covers most shrubs for the year.
- Scatter fertilizer at the label rate from near the stems out past the drip line, where the feeder roots are.
- Water it in thoroughly.
What to use: 🌿 Balanced organic granular fertilizer (e.g. Espoma Plant-tone 5-3-3) · Slow-release balanced fertilizer (e.g. Osmocote Smart-Release 14-14-14)
Spraying & disease prevention for crape myrtle
Dormant oil spray
When: 2–6 weeks before the last spring frost.
- zones 6–7: about Mar 4 – Apr 1
- zones 8–10: about Jan 14 – Feb 11
Smothers overwintering crape myrtle bark scale before they hatch. It's the lowest-toxicity insect control you can do all year.
- Pick a calm, dry day between 40°F and 70°F (4–21°C) with no freeze forecast for 24 hours.
- Mix the oil at the label's dormant rate.
- Coat every branch, crotch and bark crevice until it drips.
- Spray before buds open. Oil on tender green tissue can burn it.
What to use: 🌿 Horticultural / dormant oil (e.g. Bonide All Seasons Oil)
Caution: Don't use within 2 weeks of a sulfur spray. Don't spray blue spruce or other blue conifers; oil strips their color.
Common crape myrtle problems and how to fix them
Crape myrtle bark scale
Signs: White felt-like patches on bark, black sooty mold on trunks.
What to do: Scrub trunks with soapy water and a soft brush, and spray dormant oil in winter. A systemic soil drench (dinotefuran) works if it's severe; apply after bloom.
Powdery mildew
Signs: White powder on new leaves and buds.
What to do: Choose resistant varieties. Sulfur or potassium bicarbonate at first sign.
Crape myrtle care FAQ
When should I prune crape myrtle?
Late-winter shaping (no topping): 2–8 weeks before the last spring frost (around Feb 18 – Apr 1 in zones 6–7). Snip spent blooms for a second flush: 14–17 weeks after the last spring frost (around Jul 22 – Aug 12 in zones 6–7). Summer-flowering small tree or shrub with peeling bark. It blooms on new wood. Choose a variety that fits the space instead of topping it (so-called 'crape murder').
What is the best fertilizer for crape myrtle?
A single spring feeding as growth starts covers most shrubs for the year. Good options: Balanced organic granular fertilizer (e.g. Espoma Plant-tone 5-3-3); Slow-release balanced fertilizer (e.g. Osmocote Smart-Release 14-14-14).
What should I spray on crape myrtle?
Dormant oil spray (2–6 weeks before the last spring frost). Products: Horticultural / dormant oil (e.g. Bonide All Seasons Oil). Always follow the label.
What soil does crape myrtle need?
Well-drained. Preferred pH 5.0–6.5. Little needed.
How much sun and water does crape myrtle need?
Sun: Full sun, or mildew sets in and flowering drops. Water: Drought-tolerant once established.
What are common crape myrtle problems?
Crape myrtle bark scale: White felt-like patches on bark, black sooty mold on trunks. Scrub trunks with soapy water and a soft brush, and spray dormant oil in winter. A systemic soil drench (dinotefuran) works if it's severe; apply after bloom. Powdery mildew: White powder on new leaves and buds. Choose resistant varieties. Sulfur or potassium bicarbonate at first sign.
More trees care guides
Timings are given relative to your average frost dates, with examples for typical US climates. Always read and follow product labels.