How-to Guide
Growing and Pruning Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia)
The short answer
Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia) needs about 8 hours of full sun daily for best flowering and grows in most well-drained soils. Plant it in early spring while temperatures are still cool so roots establish with less stress.
The most common mistake is topping, nicknamed "crape murder," which produces weak, disease-prone growth and does not improve flowering. Crape myrtles bloom well without hard pruning; prune only lightly, in late January to early March.
Planting and light
- Light: full sun, about 8 hours daily for best bloom
- Soil: most well-drained soils
- Best planting time: early spring (can plant any time of year)
How to prune correctly
- 1Time it — Prune in late January to early March; avoid early-fall pruning, which forces tender growth before dormancy.
- 2Remove suckers — First take out suckers from the base of the plant.
- 3Expose the trunk — Remove lower branches from the bottom third of the tree to show off the trunk character.
- 4Thin the canopy — Remove crowded or crossing branches; do not top the main stems.
Why not to top it
Topping creates a crew-cut look and vigorous but structurally weak regrowth that is more susceptible to fungal diseases like powdery mildew. It is a misconception that crape myrtles must be pruned hard to flower.
⚠ Do not cut back main stems to stubs ("crape murder"). Crape myrtles flower on new growth and bloom well without severe pruning.
Sources
Reviewed 2026-07-18. We cite university Extension, government, and established horticultural sources — and never invent pesticide rates or dangerous treatments.
- Clemson HGIC — Crape Myrtle Pruning — Late-winter pruning timing, topping is 'crape murder' producing weak disease-prone growth, correct steps (suckers, lower limbs, thinning), pruning not required for flowering.
- Mississippi State University Extension — How to Prune Crape Myrtles — 8 hours full sun for flowering, early-spring planting, avoid early-fall pruning before dormancy.