Plant Profile: Ixora coccinea

This evergreen flowering shrub, native to Southeast Asia, has gained popularity in Florida, although it struggles with temperatures below 50 degrees and may not survive in cooler regions. It can sprout anew in the spring or be cultivated in pots to be brought indoors during winter. However, when kept inside, it may face challenges from pests like scale, thrips, and mealybugs.

Ixora typically grows in a bushy, rounded shape, featuring glossy, dark green leaves that are about 4 inches long. In the summer, it produces clusters of striking red flowers with four petals, measuring around 5 inches across. The fruit is small, round, and ranges from dark purple to black. This plant thrives in full sunlight and prefers moist, well-drained, acidic soils rich in organic matter, though it can handle a bit of shade during the hottest part of the afternoon.