Ixora coccinea (Flame of the Woods)

Origin and family

Ixora coccinea is an evergreen shrub of the Rubiaceae (madder/coffee) family, native to South and Southeast Asia — primarily India and Sri Lanka. Today it is widely cultivated across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide.

Flowers and pollinators

Tubular flowers about 2 cm across are grouped in dense, rounded corymbs. Their vivid scarlet, orange or pink colour attracts butterflies, bees and, in some regions, hummingbirds. Nectar at the base of the long floral tubes makes Ixora a particularly valuable food plant for pollinators.

Traditional and ayurvedic use

In Ayurvedic medicine various parts of the plant are used as astringents and for their anti-inflammatory properties. In India the flowers are traditionally used in religious ceremonies and as temple offerings.

Care and landscape use

Ixora prefers acidic, well-drained soil and full to partial sun. Across Thailand and Southeast Asia it is a cornerstone hedge plant — it tolerates clipping well and blooms almost continuously under good conditions.

In the botanical garden

The flowering Ixora hedge is a signature feature of our garden and a living demonstration that ornamental beauty and ecological function are not mutually exclusive — it is simultaneously a showpiece and an essential food source for local pollinators.

This article is for informational purposes only.