Pride of India Plant Care

Pride of India (Lagerstroemia speciosa) belongs to the Lythraceae family within the Lagerstroemia genus. Pride of India is native to tropical South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Melanesia. Pride of India is also known as Queen's Crape Myrtle, Crepe Myrtle, Jarul.

Pride of India displays a small to medium-sized tree growth habit, reaching up to 20 ft tall with a spread of approximately 15 ft. Pride of India produces showy clusters of pink, purple, white, or red flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Pride of India every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Pride of India thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Lagerstroemia speciosa tolerates temperatures of 60–90°F. Pride of India prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining, slightly acidic soil with good organic content. Good drainage is essential for Pride of India to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Pride of India every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining, slightly acidic soil with good organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Pride of India is suited to USDA Zone 10b – 11b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Pride of India can spread to about 15 ft (4.6 m) and reach about 20 ft (6 m) tall. Space plants about 15 ft (4.6 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Pride of India while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Pride of India is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 10). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Pride of India can be propagated through seeds, softwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to crepe myrtle plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Pride of India is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, powdery mildew. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Pride of India grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10b – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10b. Pride of India is native to tropical South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Melanesia. In cooler regions, grow Pride of India as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.