The red ixora, scientifically known as Ixora coccinea, is a vibrant, tropical evergreen shrub with glossy, dark green leaves and clusters of bright red, four-petaled flowers, often blooming almost year-round in warmer climates.
Here's a more detailed description:
Appearance:
Growth Habit: A dense, multi-branched shrub, typically reaching 4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 meters) in height but can grow up to 12 feet (3.7 meters).
Foliage: Glossy, leathery, oval-shaped, dark green leaves.
Flowers: Small, tubular, scarlet flowers in dense, rounded clusters (cymes) 2-5 inches (5.1-12.7 cm) across.
Blooming Period: Blooms almost all year in warmer climates, with peak flowering in summer.
Other names: Ixora is also known as Jungle Geranium, Jungle Flame, or Flame of the Woods.
Care:
Sunlight: Prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade, especially in hot climates.
Soil: Well-drained, acidic, and organically rich soil is ideal.
Watering: Water regularly, keeping the soil moist but not soggy.
Humidity: Prefers high humidity.
Maintenance: Minimal maintenance required, but pruning can help maintain shape and encourage flowering.
Other notable features:
Native Habitat: Native to Southeast Asia and widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions.
Pollinators: Attracts butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds with its fragrant flowers.
Versatile: Suitable for hedging, borders, or as a standalone specimen in gardens.
Medicinal Uses: Some parts of the plant have been used in traditional medicine.
Air Purifier: Ixora can help improve air quality by absorbing pollutants.