Ixora coccinea
Flame of the Woods, Jungle Geranium
Flame of the Woods, Jungle Geranium
Type Shrub, woody plant
Hardy range 10A to 11
Height 6' to 10' / 1.80m to 3.00m
Spread 36" to 6' / 90cm to 1.80m
Growth rate Slow
Form Oval and upright or erect
Exposure Partial shade or partial sun to full sun
Persistence Evergreen
Spread 36" to 6' / 90cm to 1.80m
Growth rate Slow
Form Oval and upright or erect
Exposure Partial shade or partial sun to full sun
Persistence Evergreen
Bloom Color Orange, pink, red, white and yellow
Bloom Time Year 'round
The flowers are very showy.
Bloom Time Year 'round
The flowers are very showy.
Environment
This plant tolerates some drought and a little salt.
This plant will grow in dry soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is an acidic to slightly alkaline (less than 6.8 to 7.7) soil.
This plant tolerates some drought and a little salt.
This plant will grow in dry soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is an acidic to slightly alkaline (less than 6.8 to 7.7) soil.
Leaf Color Green
Fall Color No change in fall color
Fall Color No change in fall color
Culture Notes
Ixora thrives in full sun, in moist but well-drained acid or neutral soil, but can tolerate some shade. Foliage turns yellow in alkaline soil such as next to sidewalks and foundations, where it is often planted. A continued micronutrient fertility program is needed to maintain green leaf color in alkaline soil. Be sure fertilizer contains a significant amount of manganese and iron, preferably in the chelated form. Recent work also shows that a combination of potassium and phosphorus deficiency causes a leaf spotting in sandy soils in Florida; this can be corrected by applications of both elements in controlled release fertilizer. Plants in flower attract hummingbirds. Plants serve as butterfly nectar sources.
Planting and establishing shrubs
The most common cause of young plant failure is planting too deep. Plant the root ball no deeper than it was in the nursery. In most instances, the root flare zone (point where the top-most root in the root ball originates from the trunk) should be located just above the landscape soil surface. Sometimes plants come from the nursery with soil over the root flare. If there is soil over this area, scrape it off. The planting hole should be at least twice the width of the root ball, preferably wider. In all but exceptional circumstances where the soil is very poor, there is no need to incorporate anything into the backfill soil except the loosened soil that came out of the planting hole. Never place ANY soil over the root ball. If a row or grouping of plants is to be installed, excavating or loosening the soil in the entire bed and incorporating organic matter enhances root growth and establishment rate.
Weed suppression during establishment is essential. Apply a 3-inch thick layer of mulch around the plant to help control weed growth. Keep it at least 10 inches from the trunk. If you apply it over the root ball, apply only a one or two inch layer. This allows rainwater and air to easily enter the root ball and keeps the trunk dry. Placing mulch against the trunk or applying too thick a layer above the root ball can kill the plant by oxygen starvation, death of bark, stem and root diseases, prevention of hardening off for winter, vole and other rodent damage to the trunk, keeping soil too wet, or repelling water. Regular irrigation through the first growing season after planting encourages rapid root growth, which is essential for quick plant establishment.
Ixora thrives in full sun, in moist but well-drained acid or neutral soil, but can tolerate some shade. Foliage turns yellow in alkaline soil such as next to sidewalks and foundations, where it is often planted. A continued micronutrient fertility program is needed to maintain green leaf color in alkaline soil. Be sure fertilizer contains a significant amount of manganese and iron, preferably in the chelated form. Recent work also shows that a combination of potassium and phosphorus deficiency causes a leaf spotting in sandy soils in Florida; this can be corrected by applications of both elements in controlled release fertilizer. Plants in flower attract hummingbirds. Plants serve as butterfly nectar sources.
Planting and establishing shrubs
The most common cause of young plant failure is planting too deep. Plant the root ball no deeper than it was in the nursery. In most instances, the root flare zone (point where the top-most root in the root ball originates from the trunk) should be located just above the landscape soil surface. Sometimes plants come from the nursery with soil over the root flare. If there is soil over this area, scrape it off. The planting hole should be at least twice the width of the root ball, preferably wider. In all but exceptional circumstances where the soil is very poor, there is no need to incorporate anything into the backfill soil except the loosened soil that came out of the planting hole. Never place ANY soil over the root ball. If a row or grouping of plants is to be installed, excavating or loosening the soil in the entire bed and incorporating organic matter enhances root growth and establishment rate.
Weed suppression during establishment is essential. Apply a 3-inch thick layer of mulch around the plant to help control weed growth. Keep it at least 10 inches from the trunk. If you apply it over the root ball, apply only a one or two inch layer. This allows rainwater and air to easily enter the root ball and keeps the trunk dry. Placing mulch against the trunk or applying too thick a layer above the root ball can kill the plant by oxygen starvation, death of bark, stem and root diseases, prevention of hardening off for winter, vole and other rodent damage to the trunk, keeping soil too wet, or repelling water. Regular irrigation through the first growing season after planting encourages rapid root growth, which is essential for quick plant establishment.
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