Ixora / Jungle Flame
Ixora coccinea
description
Ixora is an evergreen tropical shrub bearing dense clusters of small bright flowers.
benefits
- Flowering
- Suitable for containers
How to care for Ixora
sunlight
Ixora grows in bright tropical conditions and flowers best with plenty of sun. Give it the brightest indoor spot you have, ideally close to a sunny window.
Bright direct sun
Ideal for flowering. An east, south, or west window with several hours of direct sun suits it well. Acclimate gradually if moving it into stronger sun, especially after winter.
Bright indirect light - tolerated
It can stay healthy in strong filtered light, but will usually produce fewer flowers and may grow more slowly. Move it closer to the window if growth becomes sparse or flowering stops.
watering
Keep Ixora's soil evenly moist but never waterlogged. Water thoroughly when the top 1 inch of mix feels dry, then let excess drain away.
Spring and summer
In bright, warm conditions, this is often about every 3-5 days. Check the soil first: a smaller pot, strong sun, and active growth can make it dry faster.
Autumn and winter
In lower light or cooler rooms, water roughly every 7-10 days, only after the top inch has dried. The pot should feel lighter, but the root ball should not become dry all the way through.
humidity
Ixora comes from warm, humid tropical regions, so it is happiest when indoor air is not dry. Steadier humidity also helps it hold flower buds and keep leaf edges smooth.
Preferred humidity
It can usually tolerate average household humidity around 40%, but aim higher during active growth and flowering. Dry air may cause crisp brown leaf tips, curling leaves, stalled buds, or increased spider mite trouble.
Minimum to aim for
If your home is dry, especially in winter, use a small humidifier nearby for the most reliable improvement.
- Group plants together to create a slightly moister pocket of air.
- Set the pot on a pebble tray with water below the pot base.
- Give it bright light and good airflow rather than frequent misting, which has little lasting effect.
temperature
Preferred range
Winter minimum
Ixora is a tropical shrub that grows best in steady warmth. Keep it away from chilly windows and air conditioning, especially in winter, as cold conditions can slow growth and cause leaf drop.
nutrition
March - August
Feed every 4-6 weeks while Ixora is actively making new leaves or flower buds, using a liquid fertilizer for acid-loving flowering plants at about half strength. Stop feeding in autumn and winter unless it is still growing strongly in warm, bright conditions.
Iron
Ixora needs available iron to keep its foliage deep green. An acid-loving fertilizer helps, especially if new leaves turn yellow while their veins stay green.
Potassium
Potassium supports flowering and overall plant strength. A balanced fertilizer formulated for flowering plants supplies enough without pushing soft, leafy growth.
soil
Rich, airy, well-draining soil
Ixora likes evenly moist soil around its fine roots, but it declines in dense, waterlogged mixes. Use a peat or coco coir based potting mix with compost and perlite or fine bark to hold moisture while letting excess water drain.
pH 5,0 - 6,0
This is distinctly acidic soil, which helps Ixora take up nutrients and avoid yellowing leaves. Choose a mix for acid-loving plants, or blend in peat and avoid lime-rich soil or hard water where possible.