Best Fertilizers for Crepe Myrtles – 3 Best Options

There is no better feeling than looking out your window and gazing at the beautiful and vibrant garden of crepe myrtle trees you grew yourself.

Crepe myrtles are stunning trees of radiant flowers that offer splendid, colorful blooms for years. These plants have adapted to warm environments and require little care.

However, nutrient-poor soil can lead to the browning of these beautiful plants. Crepe myrtle plants in this condition will take away from the attractiveness of your garden and instead become an eyesore. Thus, you must take the initiative in restoring the trees to their natural beauty.

Finding a suitable fertilizer to cater to your plants’ needs can be an overwhelming experience due to the myriad of brands available on the market. We have gathered a few top-notch crepe myrtle fertilizers to spare you the hassle.

Best Fertilizers for Crepe Myrtles – Our Top 3

After thoroughly researching crepe myrtle plants and their needs, we came up with a list of the three best fertilizers available. These fertilizers cater to the needs of your crepe myrtles, whether your plants are already established or newly planted.

Once you’ve read this article, you should have enough knowledge to decide on the best fertilizer for your crepe myrtles without having to try multiple products and risking the health of your plants.

1. Carl Pool Crepe Myrtle Plant Food

Carl Pool has formulated the Crepe Myrtle Plant Food specifically for crepe myrtle plants. It contains all the essential minerals and micronutrients that crepe myrtles require for healthy growth.

This plant food formula has the perfect blend of vitamins to encourage steady and even growth. The fertilizer consists of a high level of phosphoric acid, enabling the trees to bloom more frequently. It also enhances the appearance and size of the blooms.

The slow-release design of this fertilizer’s formula gradually controls the amount of nutrients released into the soil and fulfills the plant’s needs. This formulation is crucial because it keeps your crepe myrtle trees nourished over extended periods while also preventing damage to the roots.

The Carl Pool Crepe Myrtle fertilizer has an NPK ratio of 8-55-7 (8% nitrogen, 55% phosphorus, 7% potassium). This fertilizer is ranked one of the best because of its high phosphorus content. A high concentration of phosphorus is crucial for promoting flower growth and giving you magnificent crepe myrtle blooms.

The fertilizer comes in granular form and consists of bio-friendly ingredients. The application is effortless and requires no complicated procedures. You can sprinkle the required amount onto the ground, and it will keep the soil nourished for up to three months.

Pros

Environment friendly

Visible difference in flower blooms

Slow-release formula

Water-soluble

Cons

May harden to form pellets in humidity

2. Nelson Plant Food for Crepe Myrtle

Nelson’s fertilizer is one of the best fertilizers for crepe myrtles and an excellent food for several flowering plants. It is a high-quality fertilizer that exceeds the expectations of its consumers.

The company is based in the United States and designs plant food by explicitly targeting the needs of the plants.

Nelson’s plant food is a perfect blend of essential nutrients and minerals like iron, zinc, manganese, and copper. All of these nutrients promote vitality and health in plants. It also has added sulfur that increases the acidity of the soil and helps these acid-loving plants flourish. These minerals are also responsible for healthier blooms and vividly colorful flowers that enhance the aesthetics of your garden.

This fertilizer has an NPK ratio of 10-15-9 (10% nitrogen, 15% phosphorus, and 9% potassium). The higher concentration of phosphorus promotes the growth of flowers and increased blooms.

Nelson’s fertilizer is designed as a slow-release formula. The formula regulates the amount of nutrients released into the soil, feeding your plants and keeping the soil nourished for up to four months.

This fertilizer works well for young, well-established, and potted plants.

The application for Nelson’s plant food is simple. You can directly mix the granules into the soil and then water the plant thoroughly.

Pros

High phosphorus content

Slow-release formula

Added sulfur element to increase soil acidity

Cons

Phosphorus run-off can affect water quality

3. Burpee Organic Bone Meal

Burpees Organic bone meal is fortified with nitrogen and phosphorus to promote the growth of strong roots and vibrant flowers. This fertilizer is made with all-natural ingredients and is also an excellent source of organic calcium.

The addition of this fertilizer early in the season allows the phosphorus content to mix with the soil and promote strong root development. This ultimately leads to solid plants, radiant flowers, and enhanced blossoms.

It has an NPK ratio of 6-8-0 (6% nitrogen, 8% phosphorus, and 0% potassium).

The burpee fertilizer has a slow-release formula that allows the nutrients to slowly seep into the soil and provide nourishment according to the needs of the plants. By controlling the amount of nitrogen released into the soil, it prevents the roots from burning.

This fertilizer comes in the granular form in a three lb bag and can be sprinkled directly onto the soil. It can be used on mature plants but is especially recommended for young plants as it significantly boosts the health and growth of roots.

Pros

All-natural ingredients

Easy application

OMRI listed

Cons

Packed in smaller quantities

Buying Guide — Choosing the Best Crepe Myrtle Fertilizer

best fertilizers for Crepe Myrtles

Choosing the best fertilizers for crepe myrtles is not something you should do at random. Careful research and consideration will benefit the health and appearance of your plants in the long term. There are a variety of factors you should consider before buying fertilizer for your crepe myrtle plants, such as:

Ingredients

One of the most important factors to consider when buying a fertilizer is the ingredients that it contains. Crepe myrtles thrive in soil with higher acidity. It would be beneficial to choose a fertilizer containing sulfur because the sulfur content will increase and maintain the soil’s pH level.

Nutrient Release

Another factor to consider when searching for a suitable fertilizer for your crepe myrtles is whether or not the fertilizer contains a slow-release formula. Slow-release fertilizers prevent root burning by slowly releasing the nutrients. Thus, your plants will get the nutrients they need without becoming damaged. In addition, slow-release fertilizers are granular; crepe myrtles are known to respond better to granular fertilizers.

Reputation

A company’s reputation is also essential to consider. Sub-standard products can do more harm than good, potentially damaging or killing your plants.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Where should I plant my crepe myrtle tree?

Crepe myrtle plants need plenty of sunlight and high-quality soil to survive. Therefore, make sure to plant them in an area that gets sunlight for at least six to eight hours a day.

Why are my crepe myrtles turning white and dusty?

If your crepe myrtles turn white and dusty, this is likely due to a fungus known as powdery mildew. The fungal disease attacks young flowers, roots, and leaves. It’s most common during the summer. To prevent your plants from getting this disease, be sure to plant them in an area that gets plenty of sun and air circulation. You can also apply a capable fungicide.

Why do some crepe myrtle leaves turn sticky?

An insect called crepe myrtle aphids will sometimes stick to newly growing leaves and branches and start secreting honeydew, making them sticky. If left untreated, these pesky insects can cause soot formation on the leaves, disfiguring them. However, as concerning as this sounds, this damage is not permanent to the plant. The leaves and bark will fall off in autumn and regrow in the spring. Although, these insects can impact the physical appearance of your crepe myrtle trees. To prevent them, use a trusted pesticide.

Conclusion

An aesthetic and colorful garden attributes to your skills as a gardener. Wilted and poorly kept plants can quickly and negatively impact the magnificence of your garden. That is why it is crucial to understand the needs of your plants and act accordingly. While crepe myrtles do not require an abundance of maintenance, they sometimes need a little tender love and care.

For plants that need extra help, the use of fertilizer is an integral part of their life. Choosing a fertilizer to use should be a careful process. It is vital to the health of your plants to use one that’s suitable for them. This is why we’ve put together this list of best fertilizers for crepe myrtles to choose from so you can achieve radiant, eye-catching crepe myrtle blooms.