When to plant crepe myrtle: while it is dormant, from late fall through early spring, when the tree is leafless and the ground is not frozen. In zones 8 and 9, plant November through February. In zone 7, aim for March to early April, or October to early November. In zone 6, wait for spring.
When to plant crepe myrtle: the dormant season
This guide comes from TN Nursery, the third-generation family nursery in Altamont, Tennessee, growing native trees and plants since 1959. We ship most crepe myrtles bare-root and dormant. That means no soil around the roots and no leaves on the branches.
A dormant tree is resting. It is not feeding leaves or flowers, so all its energy can go into new roots. Planting in that resting season gives the roots months to settle before summer heat. LSU AgCenter also advises planting crepe myrtles during the dormant season for best results.
The one limit is cold. New roots cannot grow in frozen ground, so the colder your zone, the more spring makes sense.
When to plant crepe myrtle by zone
Find your USDA hardiness zone, then use this calendar for a dormant, bare-root tree. Shift a few weeks either way for your own frost dates.
| Zone | Best months | Second choice | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 6 | Late March to April | None: skip fall | Winters are hard on roots that have not settled in. |
| Zone 7 | March to early April | October to early November | Both work. Spring is safer in the colder half of the zone. |
| Zone 8 | November to February | Early March | Soil rarely freezes, so roots grow through winter. |
| Zone 9 | November to February | Early March | Plant early to beat the first hot spell. |
When to plant crepe myrtle in zone 7
Zone 7 gets two windows. Fall planting gives roots a head start. Spring planting avoids a hard freeze on a tree that just went in. If your winters often dip into single digits, choose March.
When to plant crepe myrtle in zone 8
Zone 8 is the easiest place to plant a dormant crepe myrtle. Any mild, dry day from November to February is a good day. Skip days when the soil is soggy or frozen.
When to plant crepe myrtle in zone 9
In zone 9, winter is the main season. Get trees in by February so the roots grow before spring warms up fast.
What to do when your bare-root crepe myrtle arrives
Bare roots dry out fast. The first hour after the box lands matters more than the planting day itself.
- Open the box the day it arrives. Check that the roots are still damp.
- Keep the roots moist. Mist them, or wrap them in damp newspaper or burlap.
- Keep the tree cool and shaded. An unheated garage or shed works. Do not let it freeze.
- Soak the roots before planting. Set them in a bucket of water for a few hours.
- Plant within a few days. If you cannot, heel the tree in: lay it in a shallow trench, cover the roots with moist soil and plant it properly later.
How to plant a bare-root crepe myrtle
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Pick a sunny spot
Crepe myrtles flower best in full sun. LSU AgCenter says they need 8 hours of full sun a day for the best bloom.
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Dig wide, not deep
Make the hole at least twice as wide as the spread roots. Dig it only as deep as the roots are long.
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Build a small mound
Leave a cone of loose soil in the middle of the hole. Spread the roots over it so they point outward and down.
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Set the depth
Find the soil line on the trunk, where the bark color changes. Keep it level with the ground, never below it.
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Backfill with the same soil
Use the soil you dug out. Firm it gently with your hands to remove air pockets.
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Water it in
Soak the hole slowly until the soil settles around the roots.
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Mulch
Spread 3 to 5 inches of pine straw, bark or shredded leaves over the planting hole. Keep it a hand's width away from the trunk.
The hole width, depth and mulch figures follow University of Georgia Extension's crape myrtle guide. It also notes that organic matter added only to the planting hole is not needed.
Planting crepe myrtle in clay soil
Clay is fine. Clemson Cooperative Extension says crepe myrtle tolerates clay and slightly acidic soil, with a pH of 5.0 to 6.5. What it does not like is standing water.
- Test drainage first. Fill the hole with water. If it is still full the next day, pick a higher spot.
- Set the tree slightly high, with the soil line an inch or two above the ground. Clay settles.
- Do not fill the hole with compost or potting mix. Roots tend to stay in the soft pocket instead of spreading out.
- Plant on a dry day. Working wet clay packs it hard around the roots.
Crepe myrtle spacing by variety
Spacing depends on how big your variety gets. A good rule: space trees about as far apart as their mature width. Plant them at least half that width away from a wall, fence or roof edge.
| Variety | Flower color | Mature size (Clemson) | Space between trees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natchez | White | About 25 ft tall | 15 ft or more |
| Muskogee | Light lavender-pink | 21 ft tall, 15 ft wide | About 15 ft |
| Tuscarora | Dark coral pink | 20 ft tall, 15 ft wide | About 15 ft |
| Sioux | Dark pink | 15 ft tall, 12 ft wide | About 12 ft |
| Catawba | Dark purple | 12 ft tall, 10 ft wide | About 10 ft |
Natchez is the tallest of the five, so give our white-flowered Natchez Crepe Myrtle Tree an open lawn or a long drive. For lavender-pink blooms, see the Muskogee Crepe Myrtle. Catawba is one choice on our Purple Crepe Myrtle page, and Tuscarora Pink is one choice on our mixed Crepe Myrtle Tree listing. For a pink tree, see our Pink Crepe Myrtle.
How often to water crepe myrtle after planting
Crepe myrtles (also spelled crape myrtles) handle drought once settled, but not before. Clemson says they need watering until well established, about two years. UGA advises a thorough soak at planting, then weekly watering without rain for the first two months.
- Planting day: soak the hole slowly until it is wet to the bottom.
- First two months: water deeply once a week when it does not rain.
- First summer: keep up a deep weekly soak. Add a second one in long hot, dry spells.
- Second summer: water deeply during dry spells of a week or more.
- Check before you water: push a finger 2 inches into the soil. Water only if it feels dry.
Planting crepe myrtle in summer
You can plant a potted crepe myrtle in summer, but it takes more care. Leaves lose water fast in heat, and new roots cannot keep up. Our advice as growers:
- Plant in the evening or on a cloudy day.
- Check the soil every few days in the first month, and water deeply whenever the top 2 inches are dry.
- Mulch well to keep the roots cool.
- Expect some leaf drop in the heat. Keep the roots moist and watch for new leaves.
Bare-root trees are a dormant-season job. If you want a summer show next year, plant this winter or spring. Planting more than one tree this season? Take a look at our Eastern Redbud Tree as well.
Can I keep crepe myrtle small?
Yes, but choose the size first. UGA advises planting a variety that grows to the height you want, rather than fighting a big one in a small space. For a tighter spot, Catawba or Sioux beats Natchez.
Avoid cutting the trunks back hard each winter. LSU AgCenter recommends thinning instead: remove weak, crowded limbs from the center and keep the natural shape. For red flowers, our Red Crepe Myrtle comes in several varieties, including Dynamite and Tonto. Check the mature size of the one you pick against your space.
