Gold Fire Ixora

Gold Fire Ixora (Ixora coccinea 'Gold Fire') is a compact, glossy evergreen shrub that grows to about 1m tall and wide. Rich golden-yellow flower clusters, with a hint of orange, open for most of the year in warmer spots and draw bees and butterflies. Once established it also tolerates light frost and drought.

Why you'll love it

• Golden flower clusters. Deep golden-yellow heads with a warm orange glow sit above the foliage and light up a garden bed.
• A long flowering season. In warmer spots it blooms for most of the year, not only in summer.
• Loved by pollinators. Bees and butterflies visit the flowers all season.
• Light frost and drought. Established plants handle a light frost and dry spells, which gives it a wider range than most ixoras.
• Compact and glossy. At about 1m by 1m it is easy to place, and the polished green leaves look good between flowerings.

Where it works best

Low hedges. Plant 60cm apart in a single row and clip after flowering for a dense hedge about 1m high.

Borders and garden beds. Groups of three or five at the same spacing bring warm colour to a sunny border, and pair well with purple foliage.

Containers. A large pot, at least 40cm wide, suits one plant and lets cooler gardeners shelter it in winter.

Growing Gold Fire Ixora in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade. It suits tropical and subtropical gardens, and sheltered warm temperate ones, where an established plant takes a light frost without harm. Protect it from anything heavier.

Soil. Well drained soil. Mulch the surface to hold moisture and keep the roots cool.

Water and feed. Mulch and water regularly until the plant is established, usually around 12 weeks. After that it tolerates dry spells, though flowering is best with steady moisture. Fertilise with a slow release product in spring, and if leaves yellow after dry conditions, give a liquid seaweed feed.

Pruning. Prune after flowering to promote dense growth and more flowers.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Gold Fire Ixora as tube stock, in 140mm pots in packs of 10 and in 200mm pots in packs of 6. Tubes are the economical choice for a long hedge. The 140mm pots give a faster start, and the 200mm pots give a sturdier plant straight away.

Tube stock comes from our grower and is not always available. When the grower has none, the tube shows as sold out on this page, and the notify button on the page emails you the day it is back.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Growing ixora in Australia: varieties and care
• Bee and butterfly friendly plants
• Hedging and screening plants
• Tropical plants

Common questions

How long does Gold Fire flower?

For most of the year in warmer spots, with the heaviest display in the warm months. In cooler places the season is shorter.

How much frost can it take?

An established plant tolerates light frost. Protect young plants and cover or move potted plants when a heavier frost is forecast.

Which size should I buy?

Tubes suit hedges and large plantings on a budget. The 140mm pots, sold in packs of 10, give a quicker start. The 200mm pots, in packs of 6, make a sturdier plant for feature spots.