The flame of the woods is a popular warm-weather garden shrub due to its versatility and unique, bright red leaves. It can be used as a hedge, in flower beds, or even grown as a small tree. The flame of the woods is also popular as a standalone patio plant because of its hardiness and distinctive appearance. The genus name, Ixora, was derived from a poorly transliterated rendition of the Hindu god, Shiva’s name. Here is all you need to know about how to grow Ixora coccinea that will take care of all the needs of these unusual flowering plants.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Ixora coccinea (also known as jungle geranium, flame of the woods or jungle flame or pendkuli) is a species of flowering plant in the family Rubiaceae. It is a common flowering shrub native to Southern India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. It has become one of the most popular flowering shrubs in South Florida gardens and landscapes.
Ixora coccinea is a dense, multi-branched evergreen shrub, commonly 4–6 ft (1.2–1.8 m) in height, but capable of reaching up to 12 ft (3.7 m) high. It has a rounded form, with a spread that may exceed its height. The glossy, leathery, oblong leaves are about 4 in (10 cm) long, with entire margins, and are carried in opposite pairs or whorled on the stems. Small tubular, scarlet flowers in dense rounded clusters 2–5 in (5.1–12.7 cm) across are produced almost all year long.
Although there are around 500 species in the genus Ixora, only a handful are commonly cultivated, and the common name, Ixora, is usually used for I. coccinea. I. coccinea is used in warm climates for hedges and screens, foundation plantings, massed in flowering beds, or grown as a specimen shrub or small tree. In cooler climate, it is grown in a greenhouse or as a potted house plant requiring bright light. I. coccinea is also grown in containers, looking very distinguished as a patio or poolside plant. This tight, compact shrub is much branched and tolerates hard pruning, making it ideal for formal hedges, although it is at its best when not sheared.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Your flame of the woods should be grown in full sun for the best flower production. While it will tolerate partial shade, it needs a minimum of 6 hours of sunlight per day. If you’re growing it in a container indoors, you should place the pot in a bright room and move it outdoors during warm weather, so that it receives as much light as possible.
Temperature
As the flame of the woods is native to tropical regions in Southeast Asia, it requires a warm, humid climate. It thrives outdoors in areas where winter temperatures remain above 2 ℃. In areas that experience colder winters, the flame of the woods should be grown in a container and moved indoors for the winter.
If growing indoors or in a dry climate, you’ll probably need to mist your flame of the woods regularly to provide enough moisture. Your flame of the woods should also be watered regularly – it will do best in moist but well-drained soil.
Watering
During the summer, water your flame of the woods frequently and keep the soil moist. In the winter, it’s okay to let the top of the soil dry out before watering. Always water with non-chlorinated water and avoid water that is high in calcium, which can create soil conditions that are too alkaline for the flame of the woods.
Your flame of the woods may also need extra attention if you live in a dry climate or it’s kept indoors. The flame of the woods thrives in humid climates and should be misted daily. You can also keep it in a bathroom or a humid greenhouse, as long as it receives enough light.
Soil
The flame of the woods thrives in well-drained, acidic soils; a soil pH of 5 is ideal. If needed, you can make your soil more acidic by adding sphagnum peat moss or elemental sulfur. If you’re growing it in a container, opt for an acidic, peat moss-based potting mix.
Fertilizing
To encourage blooming, the flame of the woods should be fertilized monthly during the growing season. Use a high nitrogen fertilizer, like an 8-4-4 (N-P-K) that includes magnesium. You may find a fertilizer that’s specifically labeled for palms and Ixora coccinea. Compost can also be added 2-4 times a year around the base of the plant to add nutrients and help improve drainage.
Planting Instructions
If you’re growing your flame of the woods in the garden, select a planting site that receives full sun or light shade and has well-drained, acidic soil. Before planting, add compost to your soil and test its pH. If needed, add sphagnum peat moss or elemental sulfur to ensure that the pH is acidic enough. plant your flame of the woods so that the soil is at the same level on the plant as it was in the pot.
The flame of the woods looks excellent as a solitary shrub or as a hedge. When planting a dense hedge, space plants 91 cm apart. In warm climates, they’re often grown beneath palm trees and in combination with hibiscus.
If you’re growing your flame of the woods in a container, select a pot that is 2.5 to 5 cm wider than the pot it’s currently in, and make sure that it has drainage holes. Your flame of the woods will benefit from being moved to a slightly larger pot every couple of years. Use an acidic, peat moss-based potting soil.
Pruning
The key to Ixora coccinea pruning is to do it only when you want to keep the plant in shape if it’s looking untidy and do it after it blooms. Pruning is generally done to keep the plant in regular shape because it grows up to a height of 4 meters in gardens and up to 1 meter in pots. The main branches can be pruned before spring. To reduce its size, you can cut the oldest and biggest stem a few inches above the ground. Cut off any damaged and diseased branches or those that are growing in complete chaos.
Pruning is considered the best way to increase the bloom of Ixora flowers as flowers bloom on new growth. The plant responds to pruning well so you can cut off several inches. You could also cut down each shoot to one bud, so you know it will bloom eventually while maintaining the shape. In case your plant is infected with a pest or disease, be sure to clean the pruning shears with rubbing alcohol so that the disease does not spread to any other plant.
Transplanting
The perfect time to transplant flame of the woods is from late spring to early summer, as the warmer weather supports root development. Choose a location with well-draining soil and partial to full sun exposure. Gently loosen the root ball during transplanting for better establishment.
Overwintering
The flame of the woods is extremely sensitive to cold and frost. If you live somewhere where temperatures dip below 2 ℃, plant your flame of the woods in a container and move it indoors for the winter.
III. Uses and Benefits
- Ornamental uses
Flame of the woods (Ixora coccinea) is a flowering shrub that is now a very popular ornamental plant, especially in Florida. The plant is grown for its bright red and occasionally yellow flowers which grow in profuse and showy clusters. This is best grown as a container plant in temperate climates so that it can be brought indoors in cold months. It is suitable for tropical gardens where it makes a great feature shrub. In borders, this plant grows well with butterfly bush, golden forsythia, and boxwood wintergreen.
- Medicinal uses
The flowers, leaves, roots, and the stem are used to treat various ailments in the Indian traditional system of medicine, the Ayurveda, and in various folk medicines, in traditional Indian medicine the fusion of juice leaves and the fruit of Ixora coccinea is used to care for dysentery, ulcers and gonorrhea.
