Crepe Myrtle Bonsai Care Guide

Lagerstroemia indica

Crepe Myrtle Bonsai

This subtropical deciduous is native to Australia and Asia, commonly grown as a tree or shrub. Striking as it is shapely, Lagerstroemia indica blossoms stunning pink and purple flowers. Its beautiful foliage is offset with a natural smooth beige bark. 

Crepe Myrtle Bonsai Care Tips

Crepe Myrtle thrives in humid conditions. It’s ideal to place the tree in full sun to stave off pests and any fungal disease onset.

Across the growing period, Crepe Myrtle requires watering daily as these are thirsty plants that cannot be allowed to dry out. Water considerably less in winter but keep the soil moist. 

Crepe Myrtle requires feeding every fortnight across the growing season. Liquid or soil organic fertiliser is suitable.

Pruning is best done at the end of the summer. Bud production for the next year will be encouraged this way.

Due to the Crepe Myrtle’s stunning bark, wiring needs to be done with some care, as to protect it. Wrapping paper or tape over the wire before applying is advisable and be sure to not leave the wire on longer than necessary. We also recommend using wires that match the branch’s thickness: if the wire you choose is too thick you will damage the bark. If it is too thin, it won’t be effective.

Repotting your tree is an important way to provide a fresh and suitable soil mix and ensure appropriate root health. Crepe Myrtle requires repotting every other year, this can be stretched to once every three years depending on the tree’s vitality. The ideal soil mix contains approximately two-fifths organic ingredients. 

Trees that are ready for repotting will require root pruning, a suitable new pot and appropriate soil mix.

When repotting, do not cut back the root mass by a large amount, and choose a well-draining soil mix that has a neutral or slightly higher PH value of 5-6 but not over 7. We tend to use a mixture of different speciality bonsai soils on our trees. Every species is different so please contact us for free soil-mix advice or to take advantage of our repotting service.

Bonsai make for a one-of-a-kind indoor plant offering elegance, nature and art all in one minute form. Across an array of exquisite and erudite species, they all demand their own specific care and cultivation needs in order for their beauty to flourish. We have an extensive library of care guides for indoor bonsai trees so you can make an informed and considered choice. It’s not about selecting the perfect bonsai, it’s about selecting the perfect bonsai for you. 

Crepe Myrtle Bonsai - Typical Queries

Crepe Myrtle can be propagated with both seeds and cuttings. Seeds can be sown in the Spring when temperatures are around 10-13 degrees C. Softwood cutting can be rooted in late Spring, semi ripe cuttings should be rooted in the Summer, in a container providing bottom heat. 

Crepe Myrtle’s most consistent problem will be mildew. To tend to this spray the plant with the correct fungicide. This species can also be troubled by aphids. Use insecticide to remove insects. 

Crepe Myrtle can absolutely be grown outdoors, it is a subtropical species. However, this would best suit a warm climate and may present challenges in a temperate northern hemisphere climate like the UK. Outdoors is likely only a height of summer spot in the UK for this bonsai, it is important to provide humidity for growth.