Ixora coccinea
jungle flame
Overview
Ixora coccinea is an evergreen tropical shrub in the Rubiaceae growing 4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 m) tall and 3-5 feet (0.9-1.5 m) wide, with a rounded, densely branched habit. The glossy, leathery leaves are 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) long, oblong, and dark green. Small tubular flowers, each with four spreading lobes, are packed into dense rounded clusters 2-5 inches (5-13 cm) across in shades of red to orange. In frost-free climates it flowers nearly year-round, with heavier flushes in warm months. The species is tender and damaged below about 45 F (7 C), so outdoor culture is limited to USDA zones 10-11; in cooler regions it is grown as a container or greenhouse plant. It needs acidic soil and develops yellowing leaves, a sign of chlorosis, in alkaline or high-pH ground. Plants flower on new growth and respond to light shearing that builds density, a trait that supports its use as a clipped hedge in tropical gardens. Native to southern India and Sri Lanka, Ixora coccinea is widely cultivated across the tropics and subtropics for its dense form and long flowering season.
Native Range
Ixora coccinea is native to southern India and Sri Lanka. It grows in warm, humid lowland habitats and is now cultivated throughout tropical and subtropical regions worldwide.Suggested Uses
Grown as a clipped or informal hedge, a foundation shrub, and a container plant in tropical and subtropical gardens. In cool climates it is kept as a potted plant moved indoors for winter.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4' - 6'
Width/Spread3' - 5'
Bloom Information
In frost-free climates Ixora coccinea flowers nearly continuously, with the heaviest flushes during warm, moist months from spring through fall. Each cluster holds dozens of small tubular flowers and lasts several weeks. Cooler temperatures and short days slow flowering.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
red to orangeFoliage Description
glossy dark greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Ixora coccinea grows in full sun to partial shade and needs acidic, well-drained soil with a pH of 5.0-6.5. Alkaline soil causes leaf yellowing from iron and manganese deficiency. Plants need consistent moisture during active growth and are damaged by temperatures below about 45 F (7 C). Regular watering and warm, humid conditions support steady flowering. In containers it grows in an acidic, peat-based mix and benefits from a fertilizer formulated for acid-loving plants. Spider mites, aphids, and scale can build up in dry indoor air.Pruning
Light shearing or tip-pruning after a flowering flush keeps the habit dense and encourages new shoots that carry the next round of flowers. Hard renewal pruning in late spring rebuilds plants that have grown leggy. Flowers form on new growth, so heavy cutting just before a warm season delays the next flush.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
late spring
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons