Also known as Bloodwood · Crape Myrtle · Crepe-Myrtle
Giant Crepe-myrtle (Lagerstroemia speciosa) is a large deciduous tree known for its spectacular showy pink to purple flowers and attractive bark.
At-a-glance light, water, soil, and growing conditions from plant data
Full Sun
100% intensity
Requires at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily for best flowering.
Moderate
50% intensity
Keep soil consistently moist during the growing season, reduce in winter.
Well-drained
50% intensity
Warm
75% intensity
Prefers warm temperatures (18-30°C) and is sensitive to frost when young.
Moderate
50% intensity
Feed with a balanced fertilizer in spring and mid-summer.
Safety information from plant toxicity data
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Toxic for humans | No 0/5 intensity |
| Toxic for pets | No 0/5 intensity |
| Edible | No |
Non-toxic
Key traits and growing stats from plant data
Watering, pruning, propagation, and repotting details from plant data
Water regularly during the growing season, keeping the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Reduce watering in winter, allowing the top few centimeters of soil to dry out between waterings.
Ensure good drainage to prevent root rot, especially in container plants.
Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches. Prune to maintain desired shape and size, and to encourage flowering.
Crepe-myrtles bloom on new wood, so pruning promotes more blooms.
Easily propagated from semi-hardwood cuttings taken in summer or hardwood cuttings taken in winter. Cuttings should be treated with rooting hormone and planted in a well-draining medium.
Keep moist and in a warm location. Seed propagation is also possible but may not produce true-to-type plants.
Repot young plants annually or every two years in spring. Mature trees may only need repotting every 3-5 years or when root-bound. Use a well-draining potting mix.
Repotting can also be an opportunity to prune roots to manage size and encourage new growth.
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Monthly activity intensity for bloom and fruit across both hemispheres.
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Photos of Giant Crepe-Myrtle (Lagerstroemia speciosa)
Where Giant Crepe-Myrtle (Lagerstroemia speciosa) is found
Density
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Common names and botanical synonyms
Botanical classification
| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Division | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Myrtales |
| Family | Lythraceae |
| Genus | Lagerstroemia |
| Species | Lagerstroemia speciosa |
Similar in genus Lagerstroemia
Answers based on plant encyclopedia data
