Crepe Myrtle

The Crepe Myrtle, scientifically known as Lagerstroemia indica and affectionately called Furush on the Indian subcontinent, is a majestic deciduous shrub or small multi-trunked tree in the Lythraceae family. Native to a vast expanse of Asia—including India, China, Southeast Asia, Japan, and Korea—this highly ornamental woody plant is famed for its spectacular, paper-like summer blooms and exceptionally beautiful peeling bark. It has become a premier choice for urban parkways, street plantings, and residential landscapes across warm-temperate and subtropical regions worldwide, particularly in the southern United States.

Reaching mature heights of 15 to 25 feet for standard varieties, the Crepe Myrtle forms a graceful, vase-shaped architectural silhouette. It features smooth, exfoliating bark that peels in thin, translucent sheets to reveal a mottled, trunk-surface mosaic of cinnamon-orange, soft gray, cream, and pinkish-brown tones. The leaves are opposite, oblong-oval, emerging with a rich bronze-red tint, maturing to glossy deep green, and turning brilliant fiery shades of yellow, orange, and red in autumn. Its flowers appear in large, dense, terminal spikes (panicles) measuring 6 to 12 inches.

The reproductive structure of the Crepe Myrtle is represented by the formula EBr ⊕ ☿ K(4-6) C4-6 A∞ G(4-6). This indicates that the flower is ebracteate, radially symmetrical (actinomorphic), and bisexual. It features a calyx of 4 to 6 fused sepals forming a rigid, bell-shaped calyx tube, and a corolla of 4 to 6 free, clawed petals with intensely ruffled, crinkled margins resembling delicate crepe paper. The androecium consists of numerous (infinity) stamens of unequal length inserted on the calyx tube, surrounding a syncarpous gynoecium of 4 to 6 fused carpels with a superior ovary.

Lagerstroemia indica is exceptionally heat-tolerant and thrives in full, intense, direct sunlight, requiring at least 6 hours of direct daily exposure to bloom profusely. It is highly adaptable to a wide range of soil types—preferring fertile, moist, slightly acidic, well-draining loamy soils but showing remarkable tolerance for clay, sand, and alkaline soils once established. It possesses exceptional drought tolerance and performs beautifully in USDA hardiness zones 6 through 10, though young trees require protection from severe winter freezes.

The genus name Lagerstroemia honors Magnus von Lagerström, a 18th-century Swedish merchant and director of the Swedish East India Company who introduced these plants to European botanists. The common name Crepe Myrtle references the crinkled petals that feel like delicate crepe paper, combined with leaves resembling true Myrtles. In regional languages, it is known as सावनी in Hindi and பூமருது (Poomaruthu) in Tamil. Culturally, it is celebrated as a symbol of feminine beauty, longevity, and high status.

For pet owners, the Crepe Myrtle is an exceptional and highly recommended landscape choice. Unlike many summer-blooming shrubs, Lagerstroemia indica is classified as completely NON-TOXIC to cats, dogs, and horses by major veterinary toxicology groups. Pets can safely lounge beneath its shade, play with falling petals, or sniff the trunks without any risk of chemical toxicity or irritation. To find more high-impact, pet-friendly ornamental trees for your yard, please refer to our Pet Guard safety directory.

Crepe Myrtle is occasionally confused with Garden Lilac (Syringa vulgaris) due to its dense panicles of pink and purple flowers. However, it is easily distinguished because it blooms in mid-to-late summer (Lilacs bloom in early spring), has intensely crinkled, clawed petals, and features highly ornamental peeling bark. It pairs perfectly in sunny borders with other heat-tolerant summer favorites; we suggest pairing it with Four O'Clock or Gazania. To learn about identifying other woody ornamental trees, browse our Flower Identifier.