Moderate Tropical Safe for pets

Jungle Geranium

Ixora coccinea

A vibrant tropical shrub famed for its showy clusters of red, orange, or pink flowers, a magnet for pollinators.

The essentials at a glance

Watering

Every 3 days
Light

Full sun
Humidity

50–70 %
Temperature

18–30 °C

How to care for your Jungle Geranium

Everything you need to keep your Jungle Geranium healthy: watering, light, humidity, feeding, repotting and pruning.

Ixora coccinea, commonly known as Jungle Geranium, is a stunning tropical shrub celebrated for its profuse, brightly colored flower clusters that can range from fiery red and orange to soft pink. It thrives in warm climates, preferring full sun to partial shade and consistently moist, acidic soil. As a heavy feeder, regular fertilization is crucial for continuous blooming. In cooler climates, it's often grown as a container plant and brought indoors during winter, providing a splash of exotic color.

Watering your Jungle Geranium

Every 3 days

Keep soil consistently moist; avoid letting it dry out completely.

How to know it needs water

Top inch of soil feels dry
Leaves show slight wilting

How much light a Jungle Geranium needs

Full sun

Full sun to partial shade for best flowering.

Direct sun tolerated: 4 to 8 h a day
Orientations that suit it: South-east, South, South-west, East, West

Humidity and misting

50–70 %

Moderate to high (50-70%). Benefits from occasional misting, especially in dry conditions.

Feeding and fertiliser

Every 30 days

Fertilize monthly during the growing season; crucial for blooming.

Recommended feed: Acid-loving plant fertilizer. · 3-1-2

Repotting your Jungle Geranium

Every 12 months

Repot into a slightly larger pot with an acidic, well-draining potting mix.

When: Spring
Potting mix: All-purpose potting mix
Mix in: perlite, coco fibre

The tell-tale signs

Roots circling the pot
Stunted growth

Pruning your Jungle Geranium

After flowering, to shape and encourage bushier growth. Trim back leggy stems and spent flower clusters.

Through the year

Watering is not set once and for all: it follows the light and the growth. Allow 4 days between waterings in the depth of winter, against 2 in the growing season.

Active growth · Days between waterings

Good to know

Popular in tropical and subtropical landscapes.
Its flowers are a favorite nectar source for butterflies and hummingbirds.

Frequently asked questions about the Jungle Geranium

How do you care for a Jungle Geranium?

Water it every 3 days. Give it full sun. Ideal humidity: 50–70 %. Ideal temperature: 18–30 °C. Keep soil consistently moist; avoid letting it dry out completely.

How often should you water a Jungle Geranium?

Every 3 days Keep soil consistently moist; avoid letting it dry out completely. How to know it needs water : Top inch of soil feels dry ; Leaves show slight wilting.

How much light does a Jungle Geranium need?

Full sun Full sun to partial shade for best flowering. 4 to 8 h a day

Is the Jungle Geranium toxic to cats and dogs?

No, the Jungle Geranium is not listed as toxic to cats and dogs. That is still no reason to let your pets chew on it.

Why are my Jungle Geranium leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing most often comes from too much water: the mix stays wet and the roots suffocate. Check that the pot drains, empty the saucer, and let the mix dry before watering again. Too little light or a cold draught cause the same symptom.

When should you repot a Jungle Geranium?

Repot every 12 months, ideally in spring. Repot into a slightly larger pot with an acidic, well-draining potting mix.