---
title: "Crape myrtle: vase life, season, meaning & care | Floreboard flower guide"
url: https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/crapemyrtle/
language: en
last_reviewed: 2026-10-31
publisher: Floreboard
---

# Crape myrtle: vase life, season, meaning and care for florists

  ZANDER 5D
  ♄
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  ⨀ 4–7 days
  ❄

Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica, L. speciosa, family Lythraceae) usually lasts 4–7 days in a vase. In season: Summer. Fragrance: none. Typical role in a design: branch.

- **Botanical name:** Lagerstroemia indica, L. speciosa

- **Family:** Lythraceae

- **Role in a design:** Branch

- **Vase life:** 4–7 days

- **In season:** Summer

- **Fragrance:** None

- **Colours:** [pink](https://floreboard.com/en/guides/flowers-by-color/pink/), [purple](https://floreboard.com/en/guides/flowers-by-color/purple/), [white](https://floreboard.com/en/guides/flowers-by-color/white/), [red](https://floreboard.com/en/guides/flowers-by-color/red/)

- **Type:** Branch / foliage

- **Pets:** Not flagged as toxic in our knowledge base — check the ASPCA list for the exact species

## Cut flower commercial monograph

    🌿 Taxonomy & Origin

- **Official name:** Crape myrtle

- **Botanical name:** Lagerstroemia indica, L. speciosa

- **Family:** Lythraceae

- **Aliases:** crape myrtle, lagerstroemia

- **Native origin:** Temperate and subtropical regions worldwide

    🌸 Morphology & Visuals

- **Growth habit:** Woody perennial shrub or decorative branch with structural lignified stems.

- **Stem length:** 80–120 cm

- **Natural colours:** Pink, Purple, White, Red

    ⏳ Phenology & Harvest

- **Natural bloom:** Natural flowering in summer

- **Commercial supply:** Peak in summer

- **Harvest stage:** Harvest when buds show true colour and outer petals loosen (Stage 2–3).

    ✂️ Postharvest & Floristry

- **Vase life:** 4–7 days

- **Cold storage:** Cold storage suitable (2–5°C constant temperature, high humidity).

- **Special care:** Summer branches with crinkled flower panicles. Remove most leaves, split the stem and hydrate deeply; florets shed, so arrange close to delivery.

- **Application:** Serves primarily as Branch in modern floristry, ideal for table arrangements and event designs.

- **Market notes:** Summer branches with crinkled flower panicles. Remove most leaves, split the stem and hydrate deeply; florets shed, so arrange close to delivery.

For florists

## Try Crape myrtle in a client design

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Try it as a design — free

## Care and conditioning

- Summer branches with crinkled flower panicles. Remove most leaves, split the stem and hydrate deeply; florets shed, so arrange close to delivery.
- Crape myrtle is short-lived (about 4–7 days): when mixed with longer-lasting stems, deliver the same or next day.

## Where it fits

| Use |   | Why |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Hospital visits and condolences | ✓ | Not strongly scented and no heavy pollen. Check that the ward accepts fresh flowers. |
| Weddings | ! | Lasts only about 4–7 days — make up the day before or on the day. |
| Dining tables and restaurants | ✓ | Little or no scent, so it will not compete with the meal. |
| Homes with cats or dogs | ✓ | Not flagged as toxic in our knowledge base; still check the ASPCA list for the exact species. |
| Making ahead and next-day delivery | ! | Short-lived (about 4–7 days) — deliver the same or next day. |

## Pairs well with

These are available at the same time as crape myrtle and have a similar vase life (foliage lasts at least as long), so the arrangement ages evenly:

| Flower | Role | Vase life |
| --- | --- | --- |
| [Iris](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/iris/) | Focal flower | 4–6 days |
| [Dahlia](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/dahlia/) | Focal flower | 4–6 days |
| [Rose](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/rose/) | Focal flower | 5–7 days |
| [Clematis](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/clematis/) | Filler flower | 4–6 days |
| [Chamomile](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/chamomile/) | Filler flower | 5–7 days |
| [Queen Anne's lace (Ammi)](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/queenannes/) | Filler flower | 5–7 days |

## Substitutes

When crape myrtle is unavailable, out of season or priced up before a holiday, these fill the same role at the same time of year:

| Flower | Vase life | In season | Fragrance | Pets |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Bougainvillea](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/bougainvillea/) | 4–7 days | Spring, Summer, Autumn | None | — |
| [Purple-leaf plum](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/purpleleafplum/) | 5–10 days | Spring, Summer | None | — |
| [False spiraea](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/sorbaria/) | 4–7 days | Summer | Light | — |
| [Photinia](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/photinia/) | 10–14 days | Year-round | None | — |

## FAQ

### How long does crape myrtle last in a vase?

Usually 4–7 days, depending on variety, origin and conditioning.

### When is crape myrtle in season?

In season in summer; at other times prices can run high or quality can vary.

### How do you keep crape myrtle fresh?

Summer branches with crinkled flower panicles. Remove most leaves, split the stem and hydrate deeply; florets shed, so arrange close to delivery.

### What colours does crape myrtle come in?

Naturally in pink, purple, white, red (not counting dyed stems).

### What can I use instead of crape myrtle?

Flowers with the same role, an overlapping season and a similar vase life: Bougainvillea, Purple-leaf plum, False spiraea, Photinia.

## Related guides

- [Cut flower care and conditioning guide](https://floreboard.com/en/guides/cut-flower-care/)
- [Foliage and branches for arrangements](https://floreboard.com/en/guides/foliage-and-branches/)
- [Summer flowers in season](https://floreboard.com/en/guides/seasonal-flowers/summer/)

## In season at the same time

[Sunflower](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/sunflower/) · [Hydrangea](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/hydrangea/) · [Chamomile](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/chamomile/) · [Astrantia](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/astrantia/) · [Love-lies-bleeding](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/amaranthus/) · [Bells of Ireland](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/moluccella/) · [Bupleurum](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/bupleurum/) · [Siam tulip (Curcuma)](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/curcuma/)

Last reviewed: 2026-10-31. Reference values from common trade practice. Real results vary with variety, origin and conditioning. Pet toxicity follows the ASPCA toxic and non-toxic plants list. [ASPCA](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants) · [About our data](https://floreboard.com/en/about/)