How to Grow Ixora coccinea Plants in the Garden

Gardener's HQ Guide to Growing Jungle Geranium and Flame of the Woods

Ixora coccinea is a flowering evergreen shrub that grows well in warm climates (zones 9 to 11).

It is also known by the common names 'Jungle Geranium' and 'Flame of the Woods'

As a member of the Rubiaceae family it is closely related to coffee, Gardenia, and Pentas.

Jungle Geranium' and 'Flame of the Woods Growing guide
Ixora coccinea plant by photograph.

Tips on How to Grow Ixora coccinea

If left to fend for itself it can reach a height of about six feet (1.8 m).

It has a greater spread than height making it great for use in hedges or as a screening plant.

It can also look good when grown in mass in a flowering bed, or even alone as a small shrub.

In cooler climates they can be grown in the greenhouse or in containers (take inside if temperatures are likely to drop below 50°F (10°C) and overwinter indoors in a sunny spot).

Many cultivars are available. In these the flowers can be yellow, red, orange, or pink.

Ixora coccinea lutea
Yellow Ixora coccinea lutea variety photograph by 阿橋 HQ; CC.

Flowers are small, tubular, and grow in rounded clusters.

Dwarf varieties are also available these reach about 3 feet in height (90 cm).

Grow in a sunny area and provide medium watering.

It is a great low maintenance plant for attracting birds and butterflies to the garden.

Jungle Geranium topiary photograph taken in Da Nang, Vietnam

Ixora

As the Ixora plant is prune tolerant it makes a great hedging plant and is ideal for use in topiary.

Quick Growing and Care Guide

Scientific Name: Ixora coccinea
Common Name (s): Jungle Geranium, Flame of the Woods, Burning Love, Flame flower
Growing Zone (USA Hardiness zone): 9B to 11 / UK Hardiness: H1c

Plant Details

Life Cycle / Plant Type: Broadleaf evergreen shrub. Rounded form
Plant Height: 4 to 6 feet (1.3 to 1.8 m; can reach 12 feet (4 m)
Plant Spread: 3 to 4.5 feet (90 to 180 cm)
Blooms: year round
Flower Details: Small. Red, Scarlet. Tubular. Four petals. Clusters. Cultivars can have yellow, white, orange, or pink flowers.
Leaf Foliages: Oblong, opposite. Glossy. Juvenile: bronze; Adults: Dark green. Leathery texture.
Fruit: Round. Dark purple or black,

Growing Conditions

Best Light Conditions: Full sunlight
Suitable Soil Types: Well drained. Rich, organic, loams.
Suitable Soil pH: Acidic.
Soil Soil Moisture: Moist.
Sowing and Propagation: Propagate from 3 inch (7.5 cm) long stem cuttings. Spring. Plant into a pot containing peat moss/sand/perlite mix. Cover with plastic lid. Grow at 70 to 81°F (21 to 27°C) under filtered light. Slowly rise lid over a few weeks once roots have established.
Care: Low maintenance. Fairly salt and drought tolerant. Minimal pruning when plant gets out of shape (anytime - may reduce the amount of flowering for a while).

Further Information

Best used for: Hedges, Screens, beds, specimen shrub
Closely Related Species: Madder plants.
Miscellaneous: Genus name refers to Portuguese word for lord. Attracts birds and butterflies to the garden.
Family: Rubiaceae; Coffee family. Closely related species and genera include: Woodruff.
Gardening Resources - and tips on growing Ixora coccinea used to create this growing guide: Wikipedia; MBG; UFL: Florida Gardening Solutions

Ixora coccinea fruit
Ixora coccinea fruit, image by Dinesh Valke; CC.

I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Ixora coccinea plants. You may also enjoy the following Gardener's HQ growing guides: How to grow Crosswort and Asperula plants.