Jungle geranium
Ixora coccinea
Clusters of small orange-red flowers form domes, blooming almost year-round.
Care and placement
Needs full sun (6+ hours, tolerates partial shade), slightly acidic soil (pH about 5.0–6.0), evenly moist but well-drained; prolonged temperatures below about 13 °C (55 °F) are harmful.
Draft mature dimensions
Maximum height (cm): 150 cm · Maximum spread (cm): 100 cm
Things to consider
ASPCA lists Ixora coccinea as non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Still discourage pets from chewing large amounts.
How to grow and care for it
Planting and pot
Plant in sun in slightly acidic, humus-rich, well-drained soil; pots need drainage holes. Use acidic (ericaceous) compost if the soil is alkaline.
Light
Full sun for best flowering (NC State: 6+ hours of direct sun), tolerating part shade with 2–6 hours; light afternoon shade is welcome in heat.
Watering
Keep soil evenly moist but never waterlogged; overwatering yellows and drops leaves. Rain or filtered water avoids raising soil pH.
Feeding
Feed from spring to late summer (slow-release or acid-loving fertilizer) and rest in autumn and winter. Excess nitrogen cuts blooms. Yellow young leaves with green veins mean pH-induced iron chlorosis — use chelated iron and lower pH.
Pruning
Prune after each flush and whenever untidy; flowers form on new growth so pruning gives more blooms. Shoots can be cut back to a single bud.
Propagation
Take 10–15 cm cuttings from healthy non-flowering stems in spring to early summer, strip lower leaves, dip in rooting hormone and set in draining mix (e.g. peat, sand, perlite) under a cover at 21–27 °C in filtered light.
Pests and common problems
Aphids and scale are the main pests, plus spider mites; neem oil helps. Good airflow prevents sooty mould. Iron deficiency yellows young leaves with green veins.
For more flowers
For plentiful flower clusters: full sun, acidic soil, even watering, on-schedule feeding (low nitrogen) and pruning after each flush. In hot humid climates it flowers almost year-round.