Also called flame-of-the-woods, jungle-flame, jungle geranium, or star flower
(Ixora species)
Ixora resembles a miniaturized hydrangea. Of the many species in the ixora family, the most common is one with bright red flowers in clusters four to six inches wide. Its leaves are bronze when young and deep green when mature. A few species have scent.
Light
Place in high light (full sun) during winter and medium (bright indirect) light the rest of the year. Summer outdoors in filtered light.
Water
Keep evenly moist except in fall; then, water less. Mist daily. Needs high humidity.
Temperature
Maintain temperatures into the 80s for best growth. Plant tolerates average temperatures.
Comments
Plant in acid, lime-free soil. Add iron if leaves turn yellow. Don't feed during fall. Reduce watering at same time. Resume normal watering and feeding at Christmas. Prune plant after dormancy. Pinch back regularly. To avoid jostling buds from plant, do not move it during bloom. Ixora usually flowers in spring or summer, but may bloom sporadically at other times. Propagate by tip cuttings taken in spring. Set pot with cuttings on heating pad or heating cable.
