Flame of the woods (Ixora casei)
Ixora casei, the Flame of the woods, offers vibrant red flowers year-round. A low-maintenance, tropical broadleaf evergreen.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The Flame of the woods, botanically known as Ixora casei, is a highly valued tropical broadleaf evergreen prized for its exceptional, continuous floral display. This substantial shrub, often referred to as everblooming ixora, provides intense color that brightens landscapes throughout the year in suitable climates. Its dense foliage and vibrant flowers make it a stunning specimen or border plant.
Native to Micronesia, Ixora casei thrives in warm conditions, typically in USDA Zones 10 through 12. It develops into a robust shrub, reaching heights of 6 to 9 feet, making it an excellent choice for creating dense screens or formal low hedges where its striking red blooms can truly shine.
Gardeners appreciate Ixora casei for its relatively low maintenance demands once established in the correct environment. Providing consistent moisture and full sun exposure ensures the best performance from this showy tropical favorite, cementing its place in warm-climate and container gardening schemes.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Rubiaceae
- Plant Type: Broadleaf evergreen
- Native Range: Micronesia
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 10-12
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 6-9 ft
- Spread: 4-7 ft
- Bloom Time: Flowers freely
- Bloom Description: Red
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
For optimal health and flowering from your Ixora casei, site it where it receives full sun exposure, as bright light is crucial for abundant bloom production. Planting should occur when frost risk is nonexistent, ideal for tropical settings. The soil must be moist, organically rich, and most importantly, well-drained. Ixora casei requires acidic soil conditions; if your soil is alkaline, chlorosis (yellowing leaves) is a likely outcome.
Water this plant regularly to maintain the consistently moist soil preferred by Flame of the woods, though avoid saturation, which can lead to root issues. During active growing seasons, feeding with a fertilizer formulated for acid-loving plants can support its energy needs. Minimal pruning is usually required, primarily for shaping or removing spent blooms if desired, keeping maintenance low.
In regions where winter temperatures drop low, remember that Ixora casei requires protection. If you are growing it outside its hardiness range, plan to move container specimens indoors before the first frost. For those planting in Zones 10-12, focus on replenishing mulch in the cooler months to help retain soil moisture and moderate root temperatures.
Landscape Uses
The architectural structure and year-round color of Ixora casei make it invaluable in tropical landscape design. Its primary recommended use is as a hedge, offering a dense, informal barrier that is punctuated by brilliant red flowers throughout the year. It also serves excellently as a background planting behind shorter varieties or as a foundation plant near structures where its bright foliage stands out.
Where winter cold threatens, this plant transitions beautifully indoors. Growing Flame of the woods in large containers allows gardeners in cooler zones to enjoy the sight of Ixora casei in bright, sunny windows during winter, bringing a piece of the tropics indoors. It can also be trained successfully for bonsai display.
Consider using companion plants that share the need for acidic, moist soil, such as azaleas or camellias, to create cohesive groupings where this evergreen shrub is featured. Its height (up to 9 feet) also makes it effective for use as a modest screen where privacy is desired without the bulk of a large tree.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
Fruit Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Ixora casei, commonly called flame of the woods or everblooming ixora, is an evergreen shrub that that typically grows to 6-9’ tall. It is native to the Caroline Islands (Micronesia), but is now widely grown in tropical areas around the world. Woody stems are clad with opposite, sharp-pointed, elliptic to oblong, bright green leaves (each to 10-12” long). Tubular, 4-petaled, bright red flowers bloom in coyrmbose cymes (each to 8” wide) throughout the year. Flowers are followed by round dark purple/black fruits (drupes).
Tolerances
Potential Problems
Ixora casei generally exhibits few serious insect or disease challenges, contributing to its reputation as a low-maintenance shrub. However, cultural stress can invite issues. The most common horticultural problem is chlorosis—a yellowing of the leaves—which almost invariably develops if the plant is situated in alkaline soils instead of the required acidic conditions.
Should you notice any sticky residue or visible pests, inspect closely for activity from aphids and thrips, which are the most commonly reported minor pests for Flame of the woods. In damp, humid conditions, sooty mold may appear, often developing on the honeydew excreted by these sucking insects. Maintaining proper air circulation and promptly dealing with any visible pest infestation will prevent the mold from becoming unsightly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Flame of the woods suitable for?
Ixora casei is winter hardy only in USDA Zones 10 through 12, requiring shelter or indoor space elsewhere.
How large does Ixora casei grow?
When mature, Ixora casei typically achieves a height between 6 and 9 feet, with a spread ranging from 4 to 7 feet wide.
What sun exposure does Flame of the woods need?
This plant thrives best and flowers most profusely when given full sun exposure daily.
When does Ixora casei bloom?
This variety is known to flower freely throughout the year, producing clusters of vibrant red flowers.
Conclusion
The ability of Flame of the woods (Ixora casei) to produce continuous, vibrant red flowers ensures it remains a spectacular focal point in subtropical and tropical gardens. Its low maintenance profile and dense evergreen nature offer year-round structural interest. Before planting, confirm your soil pH is acidic, ensuring optimal growth for your new Ixora casei.
Companion Planting
When selecting companions for Ixora casei, prioritize plants that share its love for acidic, moist, well-drained soils. This group naturally includes many popular acid-loving ornamentals. Consider planting lower borders of fibrous begonias or impatiens, which handle similar shade requirements if your Ixora casei is situated in a spot receiving partial afternoon shade, though full sun is ideal for blooming.
For taller, background elements that complement the shrub form, evergreen magnolias or various types of rhododendrons can provide structure without competing aggressively for the same soil chemistry niches. Effective companion planting emphasizes matching cultural needs; since Ixora casei demands rich, acidic loam, your partners should thrive under identical conditions to maintain aesthetic harmony and ease of care.
Seasonal Care Calendar
For gardeners in Zones 10-12, the growing season demands consistent attention to moisture. During the peak heat of summer, ensure medium water needs are met diligently, especially if the plant is used as a formal hedge that requires frequent shearing. Regularly inspect plant surfaces for signs of pests like aphids, treating immediately to prevent secondary issues like sooty mold.
As the season shifts toward cooler, potentially drier periods (depending on your specific tropical microclimate), focus on soil health. Top-dressing with fresh, acidic organic matter will enrich the soil and help retain the necessary moisture without overwatering. Verify the planting site remains in full sun, as reduced light during shorter days can temper the flowering of the Flame of the woods.
If any pruning is required to maintain shape after a heavy blooming flush, perform lighter shaping in late fall but reserve any major cuts for early spring. This ensures that you maximize the plant’s natural vigorous blooming cycle throughout the warmer months of the year.
