How to grow and care for Ixora Coccinea?

What is Ixora Coccinea?

 

Jungle Geranium, also known as Ixora Coccinea, is a native southeast Asian plant that has become popular as a home plant for its beautiful flowers and easy maintenance. The flowers of Ixora Coccinea have become symbols of love and life in modern culture. There is a lot that you need to learn about Ixora Coccinea so that you can grow it in proper conditions and get the most out of the plant. Here are some basics that you can start with.  

 

Key facts about Ixora coccinea

 

Genus: Ixora

Species: coccinea

Family: Rubiaceae

Common Name(s) used for the plant: Flame of the Woods, Iron Tree, Ixora, Jungle Flame, Jungle Geranium, Maui sunset

Life Cycle of the plant: Perennial or Evergreen

Type of plant: Shrub or a woody plant

Characteristics of the leaf: Broadleaf Evergreen

Required Light: Full sun (six or more hours of direct sunlight a day), partial shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, two to six hours)

Preferred Soil Texture: Loam (Silt), with good drainage. 

Required Soil pH: Acidic (<6.0 pH levels)

Colour of the fruit: Black, Purple, or lavender

Type of fruit: Capsule

 

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Growing conditions for Ixora coccinea

There are certain growing conditions that you can take care of while planting Ixora Coccinea. For instance, the best light conditions for the optimal growth of the plant are full sunlight. Moreover, certain soils are more suitable for the plant, such as well-drained, rich and organic soil with a pH level that is acidic.

 

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Features of Ixora Coccinea

There are many features you can look for to identify Ixora Coccinea plants easily. For example, the flowers of Ixora Coccinea are small and usually Red or Scarlet. The flowers also have a Tubular shape with four petals and grow in clusters. Cultivars can have yellow, white, orange, or pink flowers as well.

Other identifiable features include leaf foliages that are oblong and glossy. In juvenile Ixora plants, they are Bronze, while in Adult plants, they are Dark green. The leaves also have a leathery texture. The fruit of the plant is Round and either Dark Purple or Black.

 

Average size of Ixora Coccinea

The average Plant Height of Ixora Coccinea is between 4 to 6 feet, i.e. 1.3 to 1.8 m, that can reach 12 feet, i.e. 4m. The average plant spread of Ixora Coccinea is between 3 to 4.5 feet, i.e. between 90 to 180 cm. 

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Is Ixora coccinea toxic to humans?

No, Ixora Coccinea is not toxic to humans either through consumption or by inhaling possible toxins. However, it is advised not to ingest any part of the plant during pregnancy.  

 

Tips to grow Ixora Coccinea 

To plant Ixora coccinea, you need to propagate the Ixora plant by taking cuttings in the spring. Although, rooting the Ixora plant may prove to be difficult, therefore, it is ideal to take the rooting hormone and bottom heat for success. To plant the shrub, you need to fill a 2-inch pot with seed starter mix, and then you can plant the seed from the fruit and water it well.

If you are planting the shrub in the ground, you must dig a hole that is as deep and thrice as wide as the root ball. This helps in providing the proper space for the root to spread in the soil and get proper nourishment. You can also add mulch to the ground when potting the plant. However, make sure that the mulch is at least a few inches away from the trunk of the plant to prevent moisture from retaining around the bottom of the trunk, which can lead to decay. 

 

Maintenance tips for Ixora Coccinea 

Here is minimal maintenance required for Ixora plants. The first thing you need to keep in mind is that Ixora plants prefer moist soil. Therefore, you need to water the plants in a set routine, depending on the weather conditions. Next, it is important to fertilise the plants with slow-release fertiliser at the start of spring to get the plant ready for the growth spurt in the warmer months. You can also prune your Ixora bush to shape it into the desired tidy shape, as these plants do well with pruning. 

You should also use clean, sharp tools to cut out any old flowers from the plant regularly to give it a healthier and cleaner appearance. It is also advised to fertilise the plant with slow-release fertilisers if your Ixora plant is potted in a container.

 

Benefits of having Ixora Coccinea in your home

All parts of the plant, such as roots, leaves, flowers, and bark, are used to cure diarrhoea, dysentery, and eczema due to their anti-inflammatory and anti-diarrheal properties. The Ixora plants are rich in effective nutrients such as Cyanidin, Lupeol, and Phenolic acid. Upon consumption, the taste of the plant and fruit is bitter and acidic. 

 

FAQs

What is the Hindi name for Ixora coccinea?

The Hindi name for the plant is Rangan.

What is the country of origin of Ixora coccinea?

The countries of origin of Ixora coccinea are India and Sri Lanka. Although, they are commonly also grown in Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.