Jungle Geranium.

At a glance

Care level

Moderate

Plant type

Shrub

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Indoor light

Bright indirect

Water

Every 3 to 7 days

Mature size

4 to 6 feet

Growth rate

Medium

Hardiness

USDA 10 to 12

Bloom time

Year round in warm climates

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy to ensure your plant stays happy. Watch for yellowing leaves, which often signal that the soil is too alkaline or lacks proper drainage. Providing plenty of humidity will help your shrub bloom its best.

Watering

Water whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.

Feeding

Use a balanced, acidic fertilizer during the active growing season.

Pruning

Lightly trim after flowering to maintain a nice, bushy shape.

Repotting

Move to a slightly larger container once the roots begin to fill the current pot.

Soil

Acidic, well draining soil

Soil pH

5.5 to 6.5

Temperature

15 to 35°C

Humidity

60 to 90%

Drought tolerance

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial, typically 10 to 20 years

Deer and rabbits

Moderate

Safety

People

The plant is not considered toxic to humans.

Children

The dense, woody stems may pose a minor scratching risk if children play near the hedge.

Contact allergens

The sap may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Airborne allergens

There are no notable airborne allergens associated with this plant.

Edibility

The fruit is edible but generally considered flavorless and not commonly consumed.

How to identify it

• Clusters of bright red flowers
• Leathery, dark green oval leaves
• Opposite leaf arrangement on stems
• Compact and rounded shrub habit

Height

1.2 to 2m

Spread

0.9 to 1.5m

Leaves

deep green, evergreen

Flowers

red, orange, yellow, 1cm

Fruit

purple, black, Late summer to autumn

Problems to watch for

• AphidsCommon
• ChlorosisCommon
• Scale InsectsUncommon
• Sooty MoldUncommon

Growing it

Propagation

cuttings, seed

When to plant

spring, summer

Overwintering

Move containers indoors before temperatures drop below 15 degrees Celsius. Provide bright light and reduce watering during the cooler months.

In containers

It grows well in containers if provided with acidic potting mix and a pot at least 30 cm wide.

Group with other acid-loving tropical shrubs to make soil management easier.

Grows well with

• Hibiscus · They share similar tropical water and light requirements.
• Lantana · Both plants attract butterflies and thrive in full sun.

Similar species

• Dwarf Ixora · It has a more compact growth habit suitable for smaller spaces.

Science

Family

Rubiaceae

Genus

Ixora

Order

Gentianales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Southern India and Sri Lanka

Conservation

This species is not of conservation concern and is widely cultivated.

It grows as an understory shrub in tropical forests, relying on pollinators to navigate its dense clusters.

Value to wildlife

nectar source

Pollinators

butterflies, hummingbirds

Uses

ornamental hedge, container plant, tropical garden accent

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Why are my leaves turning yellow?

This is usually a sign of iron deficiency caused by soil that is not acidic enough.

Can I grow this indoors?

It is difficult to keep happy indoors because it requires very high humidity and bright light.

Where the name comes from

The genus name comes from the Hindu deity Iswara, while the species name means scarlet.

Good to know

• Ixora is often called Jungle Geranium.
• The flowers are used in traditional religious ceremonies in parts of Asia.
• It thrives in acidic soil conditions.
• The plant has low salt tolerance, so keep it away from salt spray and salty soils in coastal areas.