1 named cultivar
The Story
Plant Bio
Ixora coccinea, jungle flame, is a broadleaf evergreen shrub from southern India and Sri Lanka, four to six feet high and three to five across. Glossy dark green leaves sit in opposite pairs on thin reddish stems, and dense rounded heads of small tubular flowers in scarlet, orange, pink or yellow open through the warm months.
It demands acid soil and shows it immediately — leaves turn yellow between green veins as iron locks up in alkaline ground or hard water, which is the single commonest complaint about this shrub. Feed with an acidifying fertiliser and use rainwater where you can. Grown well it flowers almost continuously in heat, and hummingbirds work it hard.
Uses & Benefits:
Essentials
At a Glance
Plant Type
Shrub
Height
60 inches
Width
48 inches
Light
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Zones
9, 10
Water
Moderate
Humidity
High
Lifespan
Perennial
Native To
Southern India and Sri Lanka
Toxicity
Non-toxic; ripe fruits are edible
Planting
How to Grow
- Plant in acid, freely draining soil.
- Give it full sun for the heaviest flowering.
- Water with rainwater where tap water is hard.
- Feed with an acidifying fertiliser through the season.
- Prune lightly after a flush to shape it.
- Protect from frost; it is strictly tender.
Pro Tip
Yellow leaves with green veins mean locked-up iron, not hunger — switch to an acid feed rather than adding more general fertiliser.
Keep It Thriving
Care Guide
Do
- Give it acid soil and acid feed 🧪
- Use rainwater where tap water is hard 💧
- Plant it in full sun ☀️
- Prune lightly after each flush ✂️
Don't
- Plant it in alkaline soil ❌
- Let it sit below 60F ❌
- Shear it hard into a formal shape ❌
Seasonal Care Calendar
| Task | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feed | ||||||||||||
| Prune |
Watch Out For
Pests & Diseases
Common Pests
Common Diseases
In the Garden
Landscape Uses & Companions
Landscape Uses
Companion Plants
Multiply
Propagation Methods
Good to Know
Common Questions
Flame Of The Woods questions
What zones can Flame Of The Woods grow in?
Flame Of The Woods is hardy in USDA Zones 9–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.
Is Flame Of The Woods deer resistant?
Not reliably. Deer may browse Flame Of The Woods, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.
When does Flame Of The Woods bloom?
Flame Of The Woods typically blooms in summer through late fall. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.
Does Flame Of The Woods need full sun?
Flame Of The Woods does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.
More Ixora to compare
Keep exploring
Explore the genus
Hardy in your zone?
Grow Flame Of The Woods with confidence
See it in a design of your actual yard, get zone-matched care reminders, and track it season by season in your garden journal.