How to plant crepe myrtle: plant a dormant bare-root tree from late fall to early spring, in full sun and well-drained soil. Soak the roots for a few hours. Dig a hole as deep as the roots and two to three times as wide. Set the root flare level with the ground, backfill, water well and mulch.
This guide comes from TN Nursery, the third-generation family nursery in Altamont, Tennessee, growing native trees and plants since 1959. This site is TN Nursery's order and shipping help site, run by TN Nursery. Most TN Nursery crepe myrtle trees ship bare-root and dormant. Below you will find when to plant for your zone, what arrives in the box, how far apart to space them and how to plant them so they bloom in summer.
How to plant crepe myrtle at the right time for your zone
A bare-root crepe myrtle goes in the ground while it is dormant. Dormant means resting, with no leaves yet. The best time is late fall through early spring. Avoid days when the ground is frozen, soggy or bone dry. How early you can start depends on how cold your winters get.
| USDA zone | Best time to plant a bare-root crepe myrtle | What to watch for |
|---|---|---|
| 6 and colder | Spring, once the soil thaws and can be dug | Plant before the buds break; ask your local extension office whether your variety is hardy where you live |
| 7 and 8 | Late fall through early spring | Skip days when the ground is frozen or waterlogged |
| 9 and warmer | Late fall through winter | Plant early so roots settle before summer heat |
Tip: Order with your zone in mind, so the tree reaches you inside your planting window. TN Nursery's shipping page explains how and when plants ship.
What a bare-root crepe myrtle looks like when it arrives
A bare-root crepe myrtle arrives as a bare woody stem with a bundle of roots and no soil. It has no leaves. That is normal: the tree is resting, not dead. It will leaf out once the soil warms in spring, and crepe myrtles are often among the last trees to wake up.
- Open the box the day it arrives and check that the roots are damp.
- Keep the roots moist and out of the sun until you plant.
- If you must wait a few days, keep the tree wrapped, damp and in a cool, shaded spot.
- Soak the roots in a bucket of water for a few hours just before planting.
For more on unpacking and storing, see what to do when bare-root plants arrive.
Where to plant a crepe myrtle, and where not to
Crepe myrtles bloom best in full sun, which means at least six hours of direct light a day. Less sun means fewer flowers. They need soil that drains well, so avoid low spots where water stands after rain.
- Plant away from structures: give larger tree types 10 to 15 feet from the house, power lines and walkways.
- Skip the pool edge: falling flowers can clog pool filters.
- Avoid shade: a spot under big trees gives thin growth and few blooms.
- Leave room to grow: pick a variety whose full size fits the spot, so you never need to cut it hard.
Spacing crepe myrtles by size
Crepe myrtles range from small shrubs a few feet tall to trees over 20 feet. So spacing starts with the variety's full-grown size. Check the size listed on its product page, then use this guide.
| Full-grown size | Space between plants | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Tree types, over 20 feet | 6 to 8 feet | A row along a drive or a single tree in the lawn |
| Medium and smaller types | 4 to 6 feet | Borders, screens and groups |
| Very small types | 2 to 3 feet | A low hedge |
How to plant crepe myrtle in the ground, step by step
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Soak the roots
Stand the bare roots in a bucket of water for a few hours so they are fully moist.
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Dig a wide, shallow hole
Make it as deep as the roots are long and two to three times as wide. Loose soil around the hole lets the roots spread.
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Build a small mound
Pile a cone of loose soil in the center of the hole. Drape the roots over it and spread them out evenly.
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Set the root flare level
The root flare is where the trunk widens into the roots. Set it level with the ground or an inch or two above. Never bury the trunk.
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Backfill with the soil you dug
Use the same soil and firm it gently with your hands to remove air pockets. Do not pack it hard.
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Water it in
Water slowly until the soil around the roots is soaked. Add more soil if it settles below the root flare.
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Mulch, but not against the trunk
Spread a layer of mulch over the root area. Keep it pulled back a few inches from the trunk.
First-season care
- Give a slow, deep soak about once a week in the first season, more in hot, dry spells.
- Keep the soil moist, not soggy. Soggy soil rots roots.
- Skip heavy feeding at planting. Let the roots settle first.
- Be patient in spring. A bare-root tree builds roots first, and leaves can come late.
How do you keep shoots from growing at the bottom of a crepe myrtle?
Shoots at the base are called suckers. Crepe myrtles send them up naturally, and more after hard pruning or damage to the trunk. You cannot stop them for good, but you can keep them in check.
- Cut each sucker while it is young and soft.
- Cut it right back to where it starts, at the trunk or the soil line.
- Leave no stubs. A stub often sends up several new shoots.
- Check the base every few weeks in the growing season.
- Avoid cutting the tree back hard each year, which tends to bring more suckers.
Potted crepe myrtles: a short aside
Yes, you can grow crepe myrtle in a pot, but choose a dwarf variety. Larger types soon outgrow a container. TN Nursery ships most plants bare-root, with a few potted. A potted tree goes in the ground the same way, with two changes: dig only as deep as the pot, and loosen any roots circling the root ball first.
Crepe myrtles to plant from TN Nursery
Every crepe myrtle below plants the same way. Pick by flower color, then check each one's full-grown size on its page before you space it.
- Crepe Myrtle Tree: one page with several flower colors to choose from.
- Natchez Crepe Myrtle Tree: white blossoms.
- Muskogee Crepe Myrtle Shrub: purple blossoms.
- Red Crepe Myrtle: red blossoms.
- Purple Crepe Myrtle: lilac to purple blossoms.
- Pink Crepe Myrtle Tree: pink summer flowers.
- Pink Crepe Myrtle: a second pink choice, with its own page.
Crepe myrtle planting questions
How to plant crepe myrtle in the ground?
Plant it while it is dormant, from late fall to early spring, in full sun and soil that drains well. Soak bare roots for a few hours. Dig a hole as deep as the roots and two to three times as wide. Set the root flare level with the ground, backfill with the same soil, water well and mulch.
How deep should a crepe myrtle be planted?
Plant it no deeper than it grew. Dig the hole as deep as the roots are long, and set the root flare, where the trunk widens into roots, level with the ground or an inch or two above. A buried trunk can rot.
Where not to plant a crepe myrtle?
Avoid shade, since fewer hours of sun mean fewer flowers. Skip low spots where water stands after rain. Keep larger types 10 to 15 feet from the house, power lines and walkways. And keep it away from pools, since falling flowers can clog the filter.
How big do crepe myrtles get?
It depends on the variety. Some stay small shrubs a few feet tall, and tree types can pass 20 feet. Check the full-grown size on each variety's page before you choose a spot. Then space very small types 2 to 3 feet apart, medium types 4 to 6 feet and tree types 6 to 8 feet.
Can you plant crepe myrtle in pots?
Yes, if you choose a dwarf variety. Larger crepe myrtles soon outgrow a container and do better in the ground. Use a pot with drainage holes, set it in full sun, and water more often than you would a tree in the ground, since pots dry out fast.
