Also known as Crape Myrtle · 447 gardener saves
Lagerstroemia: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Lagerstroemia, the genus most gardeners know as crape myrtle. We track 41 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Lagerstroemia varieties
Of 41 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedIndian Crapemyrtle
Lagerstroemia indica 'Tonto'
#2 most savedNorthern Belle Crape Myrtle
Lagerstroemia indica 'Northern Belle'
#3 most savedTonto Crape Myrtle
Lagerstroemia indica 'Tonto Hardy'
Acoma Crepe Myrtle
Lagerstroemia indica 'Acoma'
Crape Myrtle Delta Eclipse
Lagerstroemia indica 'Delta Eclipse'
Crape Myrtle Dark Roast
Lagerstroemia indica 'Dark Roast'
Center Stage Pink Crape Myrtle
Lagerstroemia indica 'Center Stage'
Enduring Summer Crape Myrtle
Lagerstroemia indica 'Enduring Summer'
Cherry Mocha Crape Myrtle
Lagerstroemia indica 'Cherry Mocha'
Miss Frances Crape Myrtle
Lagerstroemia indica 'Miss Frances'
Crape Myrtle Zuni
Lagerstroemia indica 'Zuni'
Northern Belle Crape Myrtle
Lagerstroemia indica 'Northern Belle Hardy Hot Pink'
Browse all 41 Lagerstroemia varieties →
How to grow Lagerstroemia
What the Lagerstroemia varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 40 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Lagerstroemia year
- PruneJanuary and February100% of varieties
Lightly shape and remove dead or crossing branches in late winter/early spring.
- FertilizeMarch100% of varieties
Apply a slow-release, balanced fertilizer as new growth begins.
- Check for PestsMay–July80% of varieties
Monitor for aphids on new growth; this cultivar is resistant to mildew.
- PlantMarch, April, September and October55% of varieties
Plant in spring or fall in a location that receives all-day sun.
- MulchMarch and April30% of varieties
Apply 2-3 inches of mulch, keeping it away from the trunk.
Do
- Water deeply during dry spells 🌱
- Water deeply but infrequently once established to encourage drought tolerance.
- Mulch to conserve moisture
- Provide full, all-day sun for maximum flowering.
- Water deeply but infrequently once established.
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Overwater to avoid root rot ❌
- Avoid frequent, shallow watering.
- Don't over-fertilize, especially with nitrogen, which promotes leaves over flowers.
What goes wrong with Lagerstroemia
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and curled leaves | Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Crape Myrtle Aphids | Yellow stippling on leaves and a sticky black substance (sooty mold) covering leaves and stems. | Encourage ladybugs. Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Systemic insecticides applied as a soil drench in spring offer season-long control. |
| Crape Myrtle Bark Scale | White or gray felt-like insects on bark, especially in branch crotches, leading to black sooty mold on trunks. | Scrub bark with a soft brush and soapy water. Apply dormant oil in winter. Use systemic insecticides as a soil drench for effective control. |
| Crape Myrtle Aphid | Yellow stippling on leaves, sticky honeydew, and black sooty mold. | Use a strong spray of water, insecticidal soap, or neem oil. Systemic insecticides can be used for persistent problems. |
| Powdery Mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide if needed |
| Cercospora Leaf Spot | Brown spots on leaves, especially lower ones, leading to yellowing and leaf drop. | Rake and destroy fallen leaves. Apply preventative fungicides in humid weather. |
| Powdery mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Apply fungicide and improve air circulation |
Making more Lagerstroemia
Cuttings
- Take 4-6 inch hardwood cuttings in late winter
- Dip in rooting hormone
- Plant in moist potting mix
- Keep soil moist for 6 weeks until roots develop
Softwood Cuttings
- Take 6-inch cuttings from new growth in early summer.
- Remove the lower leaves from the bottom half of the cutting.
- Dip the cut end in rooting hormone.
- Stick in a well-draining potting mix.
- Keep moist and humid; roots form in 4-6 weeks.
Lagerstroemia questions
How many types of Lagerstroemia are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 41 distinct Lagerstroemia varieties. The most popular — ranked by 447 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Lagerstroemia grow in?
Across its varieties, Lagerstroemia covers USDA Zones 5–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Lagerstroemia bloom?
Most Lagerstroemia varieties bloom in mid-summer, late summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Lagerstroemia should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
More on Lagerstroemia
Lagerstroemia shows up in
Related genera
Design with Lagerstroemia in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
