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Crepe-myrtle

Lagerstroemia indica

Commonly cultivated, persistent around old plantings, spreading to roadsides, old fields, suburban woodlands, and natural areas. Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Northern Tier edition What its natural habitat tells you

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Not native

Not native to Virginia. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 82%

Height
6–30 feet
Spread
6–30 feet
Light
Full sun
Soil moisture
Somewhat dry to moist
See native alternatives

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  • Stiff Dogwood
    Swida foemina

    Sun: Full sun, Partial shade. Soil: Usually moist. Flowers: White.

    Similar growth form, height, spread

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    Sun: Full sun, Partial shade. Soil: Somewhat dry to moist. Flowers: White.

    Similar growth form, height, spread

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    Sun: Full sun, Partial shade. Soil: Usually moist. Flowers: Yellow, green, pink or red.

    Similar growth form, height, spread

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At a glance

Life cycle
Woody perennial
Leaves
Deciduous
Bloom
June to September
Fruiting season
Summer to fall

Recorded in 13 Virginia counties.

Natural habitats

Places it grows wild. Not a planting requirement. Each habitat page lists the plants and wildlife also found there.

1 of 2

Roadsides, fields and disturbed ground

Ground opened by people: roadsides, old fields, pastures, fencerows and lots.

Forests and woodlands

Forest or woodland where the source does not say how moist or dry.

All habitats

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

11CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including VA

Genus host records with ranges including VA · Lagerstroemia

  • Acharia stimuleaSaddleback Caterpillar Moth
  • Anatrachyntis badiaFlorida Pink Scavanger Caterpillar
  • Automeris ioIo Moth
  • Eupithecia miserulataCommon Eupithacia, Common Pug
  • Manduca rusticaRustic Sphinx
  • Oedemasia concinnaRed-Humped Caterpillar, Red-Humped Appleworm
  • Oiketicus abbotiiAbbot's Bagworm Moth
  • Schizura ipomaeaeMorning-Glory Prominent, Checkered-Fringe Prominent
  • Spodoptera frugiperdaFall Armyworm Moth
  • Spodoptera ornithogalliYellow-Striped Armyworm Moth, Cotton Cutworm
Show all 11
  • Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformisEvergreen Bagworm Moth
Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)
—BeesSoutheastern regional records
—Specialist beesPollen specialists
—BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim
Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Lythraceae
Hardiness
Zones 6a–9b
Soil pH
Acidic to alkaline
Flower color
Pink, purple, red or white
Growth rate
Moderate
Growth habit
Several stems
Foliage color
Green
Fruit begins
Summer
Fruit ends
Fall

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope
Also known as

Crepe myrtle

Conservation status

Virginia rankSNA
Global rankGNR
VA statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

Sources