Crepe Myrtle vs Lantana

Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?

Crepe Myrtle

Lagerstroemia indica

Lythraceae · trees

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Lantana

Lantana camara

Verbenaceae · flowers

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Crepe Myrtle (Zones 7-10)

Lantana (Zones 8-11)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 8–10

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Crepe Myrtle	Lantana
Scientific Name	Lagerstroemia indica	Lantana camara
Family	Lythraceae	Verbenaceae
Category	trees	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧 Low
Soil	Well-drained	Well-drained
Height	25'	4'
Spread	15'	4'
Bloom Season	Summer	Spring-Fall
Bloom Color	Pink, Red, White, Purple	Yellow, Orange, Pink, Red
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Southeast Asia	Tropical Americas
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Crepe Myrtle

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Lantana

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Crepe Myrtle

✓Don't 'crepe murder' — avoid topping/severe pruning.
✓Thin interior branches for air flow.
✓Full sun is essential for best blooms.
✓Remove suckers at base.

Lantana

✓Thrives in heat and poor soil.
✓Deadhead to encourage more blooms.
✓Prune hard in spring in warm climates.
✓Can be invasive in tropical areas.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Crepe Myrtle if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 7–10.

Choose Lantana if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with low water in zones 8–11.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 8–10. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

View Crepe MyrtleProfile →View LantanaProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Crepe Myrtle and Lantana grow in the same hardiness zone?

Crepe Myrtle grows in USDA zones 7-10, while Lantana grows in zones 8-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 8 through 10.

Do Crepe Myrtle and Lantana have the same sun and water needs?

Crepe Myrtle needs full sun and medium water, while Lantana needs full sun and low water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Crepe Myrtle or Lantana?

Crepe Myrtle grows taller at 25' compared to Lantana at 4'. Crepe Myrtle spreads 15' while Lantana spreads 4'.

Are Crepe Myrtle and Lantana deer resistant?

Yes, both Crepe Myrtle and Lantana are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

Which is easier to maintain, Crepe Myrtle or Lantana?

Both Crepe Myrtle and Lantana have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Crepe Myrtle	Lantana
Scientific Name	Lagerstroemia indica	Lantana camara
Family	Lythraceae	Verbenaceae
Category	trees	flowers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧 Low
Soil	Well-drained	Well-drained
Height	25'	4'
Spread	15'	4'
Bloom Season	Summer	Spring-Fall
Bloom Color	Pink, Red, White, Purple	Yellow, Orange, Pink, Red
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Southeast Asia	Tropical Americas
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

Crepe Myrtle

✓Don't 'crepe murder' — avoid topping/severe pruning.
✓Thin interior branches for air flow.
✓Full sun is essential for best blooms.
✓Remove suckers at base.

Lantana

✓Thrives in heat and poor soil.
✓Deadhead to encourage more blooms.
✓Prune hard in spring in warm climates.
✓Can be invasive in tropical areas.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Crepe Myrtle if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 7–10.

Choose Lantana if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with low water in zones 8–11.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 8–10. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Crepe Myrtle and Lantana grow in the same hardiness zone?

Crepe Myrtle grows in USDA zones 7-10, while Lantana grows in zones 8-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 8 through 10.

Do Crepe Myrtle and Lantana have the same sun and water needs?

Crepe Myrtle needs full sun and medium water, while Lantana needs full sun and low water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Crepe Myrtle or Lantana?

Crepe Myrtle grows taller at 25' compared to Lantana at 4'. Crepe Myrtle spreads 15' while Lantana spreads 4'.

Are Crepe Myrtle and Lantana deer resistant?

Yes, both Crepe Myrtle and Lantana are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

Which is easier to maintain, Crepe Myrtle or Lantana?

Both Crepe Myrtle and Lantana have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.