Dwarf Ixora: Red Color for Low Hedges and Borders, Planted for You
For red color at knee height, dwarf ixora is the Southwest Florida standby: it handles the heat, flowers in clusters through most of the year, and fills low hedges, foundation beds and borders. It wants full sun and acidic soil, and our alkaline ground takes some care. Our crew plants both the red dwarf and the Taiwan ixora, from 3 and 7 gallon pots.
- Light:
- Full sun for the most flowers; tolerates part shade
- Water:
- Moderate; likes moist, well-drained soil and wilts if it dries out hard
- Salt:
- Low to moderate; not for direct salt wind or salty soil
Dwarf Ixora sizes we deliver and plant
Every size below is planted by our crew, set at the right depth and watered in. Send the size and how many, and we text back a planted price, usually within the hour during the day.
| Variety or form | Sizes | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Dwarf Ixora Red | 3 Gallon, 7 Gallon | The classic compact, red-flowering dwarf in 3 and 7 gallon, for low hedges, borders and foundation beds. |
| Ixora Taiwan | 3 Gallon, 7 Gallon | A compact Taiwanese selection with finer leaves and a tight habit, also in 3 and 7 gallon, that suits neat low borders. |
Dwarf Ixora in SW Florida, at a glance
- Mature size here
- 2 to 4 ft tall and 3 to 4 ft wide when trimmed; up to 5 or 6 ft if left unpruned
- Light
- Full sun for the most flowers; tolerates part shade
- Water
- Moderate; likes moist, well-drained soil and wilts if it dries out hard
- Salt tolerance
- Low to moderate; not for direct salt wind or salty soil
- Cold tolerance
- Frost burns the leaves and a hard freeze can kill the tops; cover on inland frost nights
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Spacing
- 2 to 3 ft apart for a hedge
- Florida native
- No
- Botanical name
- Ixora coccinea (dwarf types) and Ixora taiwanensis
Where Dwarf Ixora works in a SW Florida yard
Dwarf ixora fits the front of a bed, where you want steady color at knee height: along a walkway, around a mailbox or in a low hedge under a window. Plant a mass of one color for impact, or run a row in front of taller shrubs such as hibiscus or ligustrum.
Red ixora pairs well with croton, firebush and gold mound. Give it a spot with morning to full sun. It yellows most when it is jammed against a concrete foundation or sidewalk, where the soil is more alkaline.
- Low flowering hedges
- Foundation and walkway borders
- Butterfly-friendly color beds
- Mass plantings around palms
- Mailbox and entry beds
How our crew plants it
Plant each shrub level with the soil, or a half inch above it, in a hole about twice as wide as the pot. Backfill with the native soil and space plants 2 to 3 ft apart for a hedge. Top with pine bark mulch, kept off the stems, which helps hold moisture and acidity.
Water in well and keep the soil evenly moist; Lee and Collier let new plantings be watered beyond the assigned days until roots establish. Stay 18 inches off concrete when you can.
Care after planting
- Feed twice a year, in spring and early fall, with an acid-forming shrub fertilizer that includes iron, manganese and magnesium.
- From June 1 to September 30 the ban rules out nitrogen and phosphorus, so switch to a micronutrient-only product if leaves start to yellow.
- Water through the dry season, because ixora wilts and drops flowers when the root zone dries out.
- Shear lightly after bloom flushes and save the heavier cut for late February or March, once frost danger passes, since heavy trimming costs you flowers.
- On inland frost nights, drape a sheet or frost cloth over the plants, since the leaves burn quickly.
What to watch for
- Yellow leaves with green veins mean an iron or manganese shortage, the most common ixora problem in our alkaline soils, especially beside concrete.
- Aphids and scale leave sooty mold on the leaves, so wash them off or treat with insecticidal soap or oil early.
- Nematodes in sandy soil can cause slow decline and thin, patchy hedges.
Dwarf Ixora questions we hear
How far apart should I plant dwarf ixora for a hedge?+
Plant 2 to 3 ft apart. At 2 ft, 3 gallon plants close into a solid low hedge sooner, and at 3 ft it fills in over a couple of seasons. Keep the row 18 to 24 inches off walls and paving so there is room to trim.
Why are my ixora leaves turning yellow in Florida?+
Yellow leaves with green veins usually mean iron or manganese deficiency. Ixora wants acidic soil, and ours is often alkaline, especially near sidewalks and foundations. Apply a chelated iron and manganese product, mulch with pine bark, and keep the soil evenly moist. Dry spells and soggy spells both make it worse.
Does dwarf ixora need full sun?+
Full sun gives the most flowers, so aim for six or more hours. Part shade works, with fewer blooms and looser growth. On a blistering west wall in Cape Coral, a spot with morning sun and light afternoon shade is a fair compromise.
How cold can ixora take in Southwest Florida?+
Ixora is tender. Light frost burns leaves, and a hard freeze can kill it back to the ground. Coastal Lee and Collier usually miss the worst, while inland Lehigh Acres and North Fort Myers see frost some winters. Cover plants on frost nights, and they often resprout from the base.
Is dwarf ixora salt tolerant for a canal lot?+
Only partly. Ixora handles some salty irrigation water and light spray, but UF/IFAS says it does poorly in direct ocean breezes and salty soil. On a canal lot, plant it on the house side behind a tougher shrub such as silver buttonwood, not at the seawall.
When is the best time to plant dwarf ixora?+
Spring through early fall, so roots settle before the first cool snap. Avoid midwinter planting, when a frost can burn new growth. Water regularly for the first couple of months; Lee and Collier rules allow extra watering on new plantings beyond your assigned days.
Updated October 2026
Get a planted price on Dwarf Ixora
Tell us what and how many. Quinten prices it from the nursery's live list and texts you back, usually within the hour during the day.
Only need the plant delivered, no planting? It is on our nursery's list at Palm & Plant Co.
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