How to Propagate Crape Myrtle from Root Suckers

Crape myrtle trees are gorgeous summer blooming trees. What's nice is that they can be very easy to propagate to make more free trees! You can grow them from rooted stem cuttings but if you have trouble with that this method is even easier, take cuttings from root suckers!

The process if very simple. Look for a nice section of crape myrtle that is popping out of the soil and growing stems. Dig around the base of the stems until you can find some root. Disconnect the root from the main plant. I was able to simply pull my cutting loose but you can use pruners to remove it more cleanly if you like.

Then put your cutting into a soil medium (potting soil or garden soil are fine) then keep the cuttings moist until established. It will take a few weeks but pretty soon your will have a clone of the original crape myrtle tree!

[YoRayBurger]

Hey! I just did this today after finding this video. I didn't know they were called suckers so I'm super glad I randomly came across this video. I lost a beautiful crape myrtle to a yard fire a year ago. Probably 50+ years old; it was very sad. But, I noticed in the last few months, those "suckers" have started to appear all over the area where it used to be. We had to cut it down and had the stump grinded down, but I think after several mows, it somehow spread seedlings of it everywhere. Anyway, I'm actually moving and wanted to try and take a few with me to see if they'll grow at my new house. So I did exactly this (5 of them to be exact.) I'll keep them moist as much as I can. Wish me luckl! Appreciate the tips!

[oakleyjack]

Dave, I have a 5 gal Natchez I planted last spring. It has done fairly well and is a 4 stalk up to about 8’ tall now.
My question falls on the stalk diameter as it’s base is about 1 1/4” and at midway about 3/4”. It is in bloom now and
I’ve got it controlled with string but the storms have shown it’s weakness as being spindly. Would you recommend
pruning in late fall down to about 4 1/2 foot tall above the first forks and next year selecting what growth needs to
stay going forward in the dormant season.?

[annapendrak]

Hello, do you leave it outside during the winter? I leave in Virginia