flame of the woods

Flame of the woods, or Ixora casei, is a stunning tropical flowering plant. To keep it healthy and vibrant, it should be watered consistently and with the proper amount. Ixora casei can handle a variety of soil types, however, it prefers humus-rich, well-draining soil. Water it 1 to 2 times per week and allow the top 5 cm of soil to dry out before watering again. During the growing season, April to October, water the plant more frequently so that the soil is always slightly moist. During the dormant season, from November to March, reduce the frequency of watering to once every 2 weeks. It is important not to let the soil completely dry out or become overly saturated; both these conditions can harm the health of the plant.

Flame of the woods requires at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day, preferably in the morning. They prefer filtered, indirect sunlight throughout the day as the sun intensity and heat can burn their leaves and flowers. Additionally, providing some shade during the day can offer needed protection. It is important to remember that the sun is hottest between 10 am and 2 pm and so even though flame of the woods love the sun, they benefit from indirect sunshine at these peak times.

Flame of the woods should be pruned twice a year--once in early spring and once in late summer--to remove any dead, damaged, or misplaced branches and encourage a more dense, bushy form. Pruning should be done lightly, removing only an inch or 2 of any given branch. The frequency and size of pruning will depend on the size and age of the plant, but generally, a light pruning every few months will keep this species healthy and looking good.