Ixora javanica
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- iks-OR-uh juh-VAHN-ih-kuh
- Description
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Jungle Geranium is a perennial, broadleaf flowering evergreen, a member of the Rubiaceae family that can be grown as a tree or a shrub. It is a native of the island of Java and the Malaysian peninsula. In the wild, the plant can reach a height of 10 feet, but is more typically kept to 18 inches and grown as an indoor ornamental in containers or as a bonsai. It is an ornamental plant, free flowering with dense clusters of flowers that begin orange, but turn red as they mature.
Jungle Geranium does best in full sun to partial shade with moderate watering when the soil surface has become slightly dry; however, it is more often grown in containers and taken indoors during the winter months. When grown indoors, you should maintain a temperature of at least 60 degrees and feed it once a month with a water-soluble fertilizer designed for acid-loving plants.
The plant is a host for the slug moth in its larval growth stage, known as saddleback caterpillar. The caterpillar has venomous spines.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
When grown indoors, susceptible to scale, thrips and mealybugs.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Ixora
- Species:
- javanica
- Family:
- Rubiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Himalaya to Malesia
- Distribution:
- Bangladesh, Borneo, Cambodia, East Himalaya, Jawa, Malaya, Myanmar, Sumatera, Thailand, Vietnam
- Wildlife Value:
- Host plant to slug moth in its larval growth stage, known as saddleback caterpillar. The caterpillar has venomous spines.
- Play Value:
- Colorful
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Broad
- Erect
- Rounded
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Purple/Lavender
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Round and dark purple to black.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Free flowering, small, tubular flowers in large, dense clusters have 4 lobes forming a cross-like pattern. Initially red-orange, they later turn red. Flowers are arranged in large, dense 3 inch clusters.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Light green, smooth 8 inch leaves are oval with entire leaf margin (20 cm long). Leaves are paired and tend to droop.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Butterfly Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Flowering Tree
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
