Crape Myrtles are super popular and easy to grow. So, if you have one, you may want to add another to your landscape. There are many ways to propagate Crape Myrtles, but if you’re feeling extra ambitious, you may want to try to grow them from seeds. Which leads to the questions: where are Crape Myrtle seeds, and what do you do with them?
Crape Myrtle seeds are located within the tree’s green berries that eventually dry out and turn brown. However, these berries and seed pods can be easily confused with Crape Myrtle bloom buds, so you’ll want to harvest carefully. Collect seeds in fall or winter, then plant them in spring or summer.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Crape Myrtle seeds and berries, and identify each. You’ll learn when and how to collect Crape Myrtle seeds, how to germinate them, and how to plant them successfully. We’ll also share some tips for caring for your new seedlings and what to expect from your young plant.
Do Crape Myrtles Grow from Seeds?
You probably already know that Crape Myrtles can grow from seeds, so now you’re probably wondering whether you should give it a try.
In fact, the question on most people’s minds is whether or not Crape Myrtles are easy to grow from seeds. The good news is that Crape Myrtles are easy to germinate and sprout from seeds, but you should keep in mind you may end up with a plant that’s not identical to the parent.
If you’re open to whatever nature has in store, growing Crape Myrtles from seeds can be a very rewarding experience. However, if you want a tree that’s identical to your existing Crape, you may be better off transplanting a shoot or sucker or using another method.
Do All Crape Myrtles Produce Seeds?
Crape Myrtles come in all different sizes, colors, and styles. So, you may be wondering if yours produces seeds. You don’t need to worry – all Crape Myrtles produce seeds. No matter if you have a hybrid or non-hybrid variety, dwarf, medium-sized Crape Myrtle, or large tree, you should be able to find and harvest seeds for planting.
The only thing that may vary is the quantity of seeds on your tree. If your Crape Myrtle had a very strong bloom season with abundant flowers, you might notice you have more seed pods on your tree than normal. That’s because seed pods form in the place where your spent bloom was. Clusters of seed pods will appear on the branches where your flowers were as the blooming season begins to wind down.
What Are the Berries on a Crape Myrtle?
If you look closely at your Crape Myrtle, you may notice berries, seed pods, and bloom buds all on the same tree. So, what’s the difference, and what are the green berries on your Crape Myrtle? Crape Myrtles produce berries starting in the later part of summer and into the fall. These green pods are tasty treats for birds, but the ones left on your tree will eventually turn into brown seed pods.
Crape Myrtle berries and seed pods are one in the same. Left intact, green berries will become your seed pods, but you’ll want to leave them on the tree until they start to dry out. These berries shouldn’t be confused with your tree’s bloom buds. These are smaller and don’t have the same crown that berries do. And buds are normally a shade of pink, red, or another rose-tinted color.
Where Are the Seeds on a Crape Myrtle? What Do Seed Pods Look Like?
Seed pods develop right on your Crape Myrtle’s limbs and branches. In the same areas where you’ll normally see blooms and buds, you’ll find green berries toward the end of summer. Inside these berries, Crape Myrtle seeds will develop. Assuming that hungry birds don’t carry them away, you could end up with an abundance of berries and seed pods at the end of the blooming season.
Green berries are oval-shaped and bright or dark green. They have what looks like a crown on top where they attach to the branch. As the season progresses, these berries dry out and turn brown, eventually popping open so the seeds can fall onto the ground for propagation.
It’s best to leave the seed pods on the tree until they dry out and start to open rather than collect the green seed pods from your Crape Myrtle. However, you can take cuttings with clusters of green seed pods and just put them into a vase of water at home. Eventually, the cutting will follow the same process, and the berries will dry out, leaving the brown seed pods for you to harvest.
How to Collect Crape Myrtle Seeds
Given that Crape Myrtle seeds develop inside green seed pods, you may wonder how to harvest and collect the seeds. It’s actually quite simple to collect Crape Myrtle seeds, and you can do it right from the tree! Collect your Crape Myrtle’s seeds in the fall or winter, once the seed pods have dried out, and changed from bright green to darker shades of brown.
Depending on the timing and how long the pods have been developing, you may be able to collect seeds without having to remove the pods. In either case, it’s best to let the green berries stay on your Crape Myrtle until they turn brown and dry out.
If the seed pods are starting to open, you can give the cluster a gentle shake over a bowl, bag, or even your hand. You should see some of the seeds falling out of the pods. This is the simplest way to collect them.
If the seed pods are still intact and haven’t started opening, you can cut the cluster down and put it into some water at home until they start opening. Or, you can pull the seed pods off and open them yourself on a table or kitchen counter to remove the seeds.
Once you collect the Crape Myrtle seeds, be sure to keep them dry until you’re ready to germinate or plant them. It’s best to store them in a paper bag or jar until it’s time to use them.
Can You Purchase Crape Myrtle Seeds?
If you don’t have a Crape Myrtle or don’t want to bother with harvesting your own seeds, you may want to buy some instead. You can purchase Crape Myrtle seeds from most garden centers, or you can find them online.
Still, with the abundance of Crape Myrtle trees out there, you shouldn’t have to purchase seeds. Just ask one of your neighbors if you can take some seed pods or keep your eyes peeled along sidewalks and in parking areas for some easily accessible seeds.
How Long Does It Take for Crape Myrtle Seeds to Germinate?
Crape Myrtle seeds are easy to germinate and will typically start sprouting in just a few weeks when the conditions are right. It’s best to wait until spring to germinate your seeds, so if you harvest them during the fall, you may need to store them in a cool, dark place until you’re ready to plant.
You’ll know your seed has germinated when you see a tiny green sprout or a white root coming from the seed. Then, you should transfer the sprout into soil as soon as possible.
How to Plant Crape Myrtle Seeds
You should start the germination and planting process during spring when the days are longer, and the temperature is warmer. While you can technically germinate seeds anytime, they’re more likely to sprout and grow successfully if you germinate at the right time and under the right conditions.
Germinating Crape Myrtle Seeds
There are two popular methods for germinating Crape Myrtle seeds. You can do the simple method with just some water and paper towels, or you can germinate the seeds in a container with some potting mix and water.
Method #1
You will need:
- Paper towels
- A gallon-sized zip-top bag
Instructions:
1. Saturate two paper towels and wring them out lightly so they’re still soaked but not dripping
2. Spread your Crape Myrtle seeds in a single layer on one paper towel
3. Cover the seeds with the other wet paper towel
4. Carefully place the paper towels into a large zip-top bag, keeping everything laying flat
5. Remove excess air from inside the bag and seal it shut
6. Wait two weeks before checking for signs of sprouting; you may need to re-wet the paper towels
Method #2
You will need:
- A large, shallow container or individual nursery pots (we like these biodegradable pots)
- Potting soil
- Sphagnum moss
- Spray bottle with water
- Plastic bag or plastic wrap
Instructions:
1. Put a small amount of potting medium into your container or pots (one to two inches) and moisten with a spray bottle
2. Drop the seeds into the potting medium, pressing them down gently but not so they’re completely buried
3. Cover the seeds lightly with sphagnum moss
4. Mist with water
5. Cover the pot (or pots) with a plastic bag or plastic wrap
6. Place in a warm location with indirect sunlight
7. Watch for spouts (two to three weeks) and remove plastic once you see sprouting
Planting Crape Myrtle Sprouts
No matter which germination method you use, you should wait until your seedlings have at least two sets of true leaves before you try to transplant them into larger pots. Keep your sprouts inside until the temperatures warm up in the later part of spring.
Once you put your seedlings into individual or larger pots, you can start putting them outside for a few weeks to acclimate to the environment. Just place them in a shady spot where they won’t get blasted by direct sunlight. You should also bring the seedlings inside at night if temperatures dip below 50 degrees.
Once your sprouts have acclimated to their environment, you can transplant them into the ground or a large container. When summer rolls around, you should enjoy rapid growth as your Crape Myrtle develops.
Ensure your new plant continues to get plenty of water, and add some nutrients to the soil using a well-balanced, all-purpose fertilizer.
What to Expect From Your New Crape Myrtle
When your Crape Myrtle is young, you should expect fast growth and rapid development during the summer months. However, you shouldn’t expect to see blooms or flowers for at least a couple of years.
It’s important to keep your new Crape Myrtle watered well without over-saturating the soil. When you move the seedling to its permanent home, remember that location is everything. Your Crape Myrtle will thrive if you plant it in the right spot, and it will struggle if you put it in the shade or in an area where the soil doesn’t drain well.
Fertilizer may not be necessary, but if you want to give your Crape Myrtle a feeding, only use a light application of an all-purpose fertilizer.
Encourage your Crape Myrtle to grow into the shape you desire by doing light pruning while the plant is young. Remove additional trunks (leaving three to five) and low branches to ensure a “tree” shape.
A layer of mulch around your Crape Myrtle’s base will help keep the roots protected and reduce weeds around your new plant. To learn more about mulching your Crape Myrtle, check out this article.
Putting It All Together
Growing any plant from a seed can be a very rewarding experience, especially if you like to be hands-on in your garden. However, it’s also a time-consuming process that will require some patience before you enjoy the fruits of your labor.
In some cases, it may make more sense to purchase a young Crape Myrtle tree and plant it in your yard instead of growing a new seedling. Crape Myrtles are inexpensive and easy to find, meaning you can add them to your landscape without much trouble. Still, you can successfully plant Crape Myrtle seeds and grow new plants as long as you give them a little water, sunshine, and of course, a lot of love.