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Scientific name	Lagerstroemia indica
Common name	Crape myrtle
Temperature requirement	25-35 °C
Humidity	40-50%
Light	Full sun
Watering	Water everyday &keep moist
Pests	Aphids, Japanese beetles
Pet friendliness	Toxic to pets and humans
Maximum plant height	500-1000cm
Potting mix	Potting soil/red soil/manure/perlite
Pot requirement	Good drainage & report every 1-2 years
Nutrition	Apply manure for first 15 days and npk for next 15 days
Pruning & training	Remove dead & diseased leaves with sterile shears
Common color & season	Pink in July – September
Description	Native to china, the crape myrtle is a beautiful, tall shrub or small tree growing up to 5 meter high and wide, which makes a lovely accent in a garden. It is not very common in gulf regions, because not all of its growing conditions can be fulfilled. Looking best with multiple trunks, l. Indica has dark green, oval leaves up to 5 cm long (light green with a copper tone in spring, turning brilliant orange or red in autumn) and clusters of delicate, crinkly petalled flowers. There are many cultivars with a wide range of color from brilliant red to pink, purple, lavender and white. One of its most attractive attributes is the attractive, smooth grey brown trunk and branch structure, appearing to be polished in winter, the bark of which peels off to reveal a pinkish inner bark. The tree requires sun and heat to flower well, with some wind protection, and although quite drought resistant, regular irrigation and deep watering in summer are appreciated. The crape myrtle prefers well drained, fertile, sandy soils. It will tolerate frost in gulf regions. Propagation is usually by seed. A slow release fertilizer, rich in nitrogen and potassium, can be applied twice or three times per year. Prone also to leaf burn and chlorosis, owing to irrigation with saline and alkaline water, the soil must be leached and treated with iron. Requiring only low maintenance and light pruning to encourage flowering, this tree is excellent on patios, in containers, and close to doorways.