Ixoras

How to choose an ixora

Height decides most of it. The dwarf forms, such as Sunkist Dwarf Ixora and Dwarf Pink Ixora, stay at about 60cm with small leaves and suit edging, mass planting and pots. The Malay types are a step up, around a metre tall with larger flower heads: Ixora Gold Malay and Red Malay Ixora make a strong low hedge or a block of colour beside a pool. For a taller screen or the back of a border, Prince of Orange Ixora grows to 1.5m or 2m with big orange red heads.

After height, pick colour. Reds and oranges read from a distance and hold in full sun; golds and pinks are softer and suit courtyards and entries. A hedge looks tidier planted in one variety than in a mix.

Where ixora grows

Ixora is a plant for the tropics and subtropics. It thrives through coastal Queensland, northern New South Wales and the Top End, and it will grow in a warm, sheltered, frost free position as far south as Sydney. It does not tolerate frost, and cold winters cause leaf drop and spotting. In cooler regions, treat it as a pot plant for a sunny, protected courtyard.

Give it full sun to light shade and an acid, well drained soil rich in organic matter. In alkaline soil, or hard against concrete paths and footings, the new leaves turn yellow between the veins. Ixora sits naturally among other tropical plants and is a regular choice from the wider list of hedging plants for warm climates.

Planting and spacing

For a hedge, plant dwarf ixora 30cm to 40cm apart, Malay types 50cm to 60cm apart, and taller varieties 75cm to 1m apart. Dig compost into the bed, plant at the same depth as the pot, water in well and mulch with an organic mulch to keep the shallow roots cool and moist. In pots, use a quality potting mix made for acid loving plants and a container with good drainage.

Care basics

Keep ixora evenly moist through the warm months and ease back in winter. Feed in spring and again in summer with a fertiliser for acid loving plants. If leaves yellow between the veins, apply iron chelate and check the soil is not alkaline. Flowers form on new growth, so trim lightly after each flush instead of shearing hard and often, which removes the buds. A firmer prune in late winter or early spring keeps older shrubs dense. Watch for scale and aphids, which bring sooty mould; a horticultural oil spray clears them. Our guide to growing ixora in Australia goes further into varieties and care.

Common questions

Why are my ixora leaves turning yellow?

Usually the soil is too alkaline, which locks up iron. Apply iron chelate, feed with an acid plant fertiliser and keep lime and fresh concrete away from the roots.

Does ixora grow in full sun?

Yes. It flowers most heavily in full sun with regular water, and it also grows well in light shade.

Can ixora grow in pots?

Yes. Dwarf and Malay types are well suited to pots, which is also the way to grow ixora where winters are cool.

Why is my ixora not flowering?

Too much shade and frequent hard clipping are the common causes. Move it into more sun and trim only after a flush of flowers.