Crape myrtle growing in pots appreciate a moist but well-drained soil. Constantly soggy or wet soil can and often will cause root rot or other harmful or deadly plant diseases.

Can crape myrtle take wet feet?

While crape myrtle requires regular water when young during the first 1-2 years, it needs only low water once established. Good drainage is important to prevent soil from becoming water-logged, which will stymie growth and damage roots. They don't like wet feet.

What type of soil do crepe myrtles prefer?

The best soil for crape myrtle is in an acidic to slightly acidic soil ranging from 5.0 to 6.5 on the pH scale. Most average garden soils fall between a pH range of 6.0 to 7.0.

Where should you not plant crepe myrtles?

Southern Living points out that you will not want crepe myrtles near a pool. They will not damage anything, but some varieties produce abundant flowers that then drop off after they wither. These can fall into the water constantly, meaning that you will end up skimming them out every time you turn around.

What conditions do crepe myrtles like?

Crape myrtle needs full sun (6 or more hours per day) to thrive. With less sunlight, blooms will not be as prolific and their colors may be diminished. These plants are not demanding about the pH of their soil, though neutral or slightly acidic soils are best.

All About Crape Myrtles (Growing and Maintaining Crape Myrtles)

Do crepe myrtles have deep roots?

Crepe myrtle roots do not sink taproots deep into the ground or send lateral roots out to crack anything in their path. In fact, the entire crepe myrtle root system is shallow and fibrous, spreading out horizontally up to three times as far as the canopy is wide.

Why are my crepe myrtles dying?

So, why did it die? The most likely answer is cold damage. I had noticed last summer that the plant didn't look as healthy as it had in previous years. When temperatures drop below 10 degrees for any length of time, crape myrtle tends to die back down to the ground.

How much water does a crepe myrtle need?

Crape Myrtles need at least one inch of water per week, with more during especially hot and dry weather. Still, these plants are fairly drought resistant once they've matured. Though Crape Myrtles like a good and deep soaking, issues like poor drainage and overwatering can lead to problems.

Do crape myrtle trees have invasive roots?

Crepe myrtle roots are shallow and active, but they are not invasive. The roots are unlikely to cause problems for concrete or bother sidewalks or driveways.

How far should a crepe myrtle be from the house?

Plant large type crape myrtles a minimum of 6ft away from a structure (house, etc). To create a look where the canopies of the plants will grow together and provide shade, plant Medium Crape Myrtles 6'-10' apart, and Standard (Tree) Crape Myrtles 8'-12' apart.

How do you prepare soil for crape myrtle?

Add some organic material to the soil as you dig. Almost any kind of organic material is good, among the best are well-rotted animal manure; garden compost; any 'top-soil' from a garden center; or peat-moss. A bucket per tree is about right, but less is OK too, Crape Myrtles are tough plants.

Why are my crepe myrtles not growing?

Unfortunately, trees planted in this location suffer a lot of stress that can inhibit crepe myrtle leaf growth. Stress factors for crepe myrtles used as street trees include heat, drought, soil compaction and environmental pollution such as salt spray and car exhaust.

What is the best time to plant crape myrtle trees?

The best time to plant crape myrtle is June to late September while soils are warm. Watering during summer hot and dry spells is also beneficial to flowering, but overall crape myrtle is very drought tolerant once established in the landscape.

How do I know if my crepe myrtle has too much water?

Signs of Overwatering Trees

  1. The area around the tree is constantly wet.
  2. New growth withers before it's fully grown or becomes light green or yellow.
  3. Leaves appear green but are fragile and break easily.

Why does bark fall off crepe myrtle?

Crepe Myrtle Bark Shedding – A Perfectly Normal Process

It occurs after the tree has reached full maturity, which may be a several years after you plant it. Crepe myrtle bark shedding is a normal process to these trees. They are often prized because of the coloration that shows up on their wood once the bark is shed.

What causes crepe myrtle leaves to yellow?

Most commonly, drought or a lack of moisture will cause crepe myrtles leaves to yellow and prematurely fall. What is this? Your plant might also have a bacterial disease or fungus, which will also start as yellowing foliage. This is also known as 'leaf scorch' and tends to affect crepe myrtles during the summertime.

Are crepe myrtles hard to grow?

How to grow crepe myrtle is not an issue in most areas to which they are hardy, USDA Zones 9 down to 7 (with some special varieties surviving in zone 6), as they are easy to grow in the right location.

How fast do crape myrtle trees grow?

This shrub grows at a fast rate, with height increases of more than 24" per year.

Are crepe myrtle trees messy?

Crape myrtles also require pruning to promote the new growth needed for blooming, to reveal the bark, and to keep the shrub or tree tidy. Moreover, with its flowers, leaves and peeling bark, crape myrtles can be messy to care for. Be prepared for plenty of raking and clean-up.

How can I make my crepe myrtle grow faster?

To help your crape myrtle grow taller (and produce more flowers), use a slow-release fertilizer that is high in nitrogen. Do not use this too often or you will get more leaves than flowers. Water the tree once a week, soaking the entire root system thoroughly. They require at least 1 inch of water per week.

How long will a crape myrtle live?

Crape myrtles are beautiful flowering trees that are native to eastern Asia but can be found in many parts of the United States. They can grow up to 20-25 feet tall and have a lifespan of about 20 years. These plants are typically seen as ornamental, but they also have other uses.

Do crepe myrtles get root rot?

Poor drainage or overwatering can lead to root drowning. Roots saturated with too much water develop rot and begin to die. The tissue just beneath root bark is normally white, but drowning causes this inner area to turn brown.

What kills crepe myrtle?

To stop the crape myrtle from coming up from the roots you can apply a phenoxy herbicide product like Dicamba or 2,4D. The herbicide will kill the roots too. You can also use sucker stopper which is a plant growth regulator.

Can you dig up and replant crepe myrtles?

Moving crepe myrtles requires a bit of digging. First, dig out a new planting hole. It has to be large enough to fit all of the tree's current roots, but somewhat wider, to allow those roots to expand. Next, you need to dig out the tree.