Ixora Shrubs, Delivered and Planted in Southwest Florida
Ixora is the classic South Florida flowering hedge shrub, with clusters of red, orange, yellow or pink blooms against glossy leaves most of the year. It does well in Southwest Florida in full sun, but wants acidic, well-drained soil and shelter from direct salt spray. We deliver and plant four types in 3 gallon, with Nora Grant also in 7 gallon, for borders, hedges and foundation beds.
- Light:
- Full sun to part shade; most flowers in full sun
- Water:
- Moderate; likes moist, well-drained soil
- Salt:
- Moderate; handles some salty irrigation water but not direct salt spray
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nora Grant Ixora | 3 Gallon, 7 Gallon | A popular, durable hybrid with big clusters of pinkish red flowers, carried in 3 and 7 gallon so you can start with a fuller plant. |
| Ixora Maui | 3 Gallon | An orange-flowered type thought to hold up to cold better than most ixoras, which helps in inland yards. |
| Ixora Red | 3 Gallon | The classic red-flowering ixora, a good choice for a bold, traditional hedge. |
| Ixora Yellow | 3 Gallon | A yellow-flowered type that adds a lighter, softer note beside red and orange plants. |
Ixora in SW Florida, at a glance
- Mature size here
- 3 to 6 ft tall and 3 to 5 ft wide when kept pruned
- Light
- Full sun to part shade; most flowers in full sun
- Water
- Moderate; likes moist, well-drained soil
- Salt tolerance
- Moderate; handles some salty irrigation water but not direct salt spray
- Cold tolerance
- Leaves and flowers burn near freezing, and a hard freeze can cut it to the ground. Coastal Lee and Collier are usually fine
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Spacing
- 2 to 3 ft on center for low hedges; 3 to 4 ft for taller types
- Florida native
- No, native to southern Asia
- Botanical name
- Ixora coccinea and hybrids
Where Ixora works in a SW Florida yard
Ixora works best as a mid-height flowering hedge or border in front of a wall or a taller green hedge such as podocarpus, where the color shows against a dark backdrop. Use red or orange for bold contrast and yellow for a softer look.
Keep it a few feet off sidewalks and foundations, where the soil runs more alkaline. Pentas, firebush and croton make good bed mates for a long season of color.
- Flowering hedges and borders
- Foundation plantings
- Year-round color beds
- Butterfly-friendly gardens
- Container color
How our crew plants it
Dig the hole twice as wide as the pot and the same depth, and set the top of the root ball level with the soil. Space plants 2 to 3 feet apart for a low hedge and 3 to 4 feet for taller types. Mulch 2 to 3 inches with pine bark or pine straw, which helps keep the soil slightly acidic, and pull it back from the stems.
Water in well, using the extra watering Lee and Collier allow for new plantings while roots establish.
Care after planting
- Feed in spring and fall with an acid-forming fertilizer that includes iron, manganese and magnesium, timing it around the Lee County, Naples and Marco Island ban on nitrogen and phosphorus from June 1 to September 30.
- Water on your assigned days through the November to May dry season, since ixora likes steady moisture and sandy soil dries fast.
- Prune lightly after a bloom flush, because constant shearing removes the flower buds.
- Treat yellow new growth with chelated iron and minor nutrients, which is the usual fix for our alkaline soil and irrigation water.
- Cover plants inland on frost nights, since a freeze burns the foliage and blooms.
What to watch for
- Yellow new leaves with green veins mean iron or manganese deficiency, which is common in SW Florida's alkaline soil and irrigation water.
- Sooty mold on the leaves usually points to aphids or scale feeding on the plant, so wash the foliage and treat the insects early.
- Direct salt spray burns the leaves, so on a Gulf or bay lot plant it on the sheltered side of the house.
Ixora questions we hear
Why are my ixora leaves turning yellow in Cape Coral?+
Yellow new leaves with green veins usually mean iron or manganese deficiency from alkaline soil and irrigation water. An acid-forming fertilizer with micronutrients, chelated iron and pine bark mulch help. Soggy roots and cold snaps can also yellow leaves.
How far apart should I plant ixora for a hedge?+
Plant compact types 2 to 3 feet apart and taller selections 3 to 4 feet apart. Closer spacing fills faster but needs more trimming. Leave a couple of feet from sidewalks and foundations, where the soil is more alkaline and ixora struggles.
How cold can ixora take in Southwest Florida?+
Ixora burns near freezing, and a hard freeze can cut it to the ground, though it often regrows. Coastal Lee and Collier winters are usually fine. In Lehigh Acres or North Fort Myers, cover plants on frost nights. Maui is thought to be the hardiest type.
Is ixora salt tolerant for a waterfront lot?+
Moderately. UF/IFAS says ixora handles some salty irrigation water but does poorly in direct ocean breezes. On a canal or bay lot, plant it on the sheltered side of the house or behind tougher shrubs like cocoplum or sea grape.
Does ixora bloom all year, and does trimming hurt it?+
Ixora flowers nearly year-round in SW Florida, and each cluster lasts about 6 to 8 weeks. Full sun gives the most blooms. Constant shearing cuts the flowers, so shape it lightly after a bloom flush instead.
What does it cost to have ixora planted?+
The type, the pot size (3 or 7 gallon) and the number of plants all affect the price. Text us the bed length and your address and we reply with a planted price, usually within the hour during the day. Half down holds the plants and a delivery day.
Updated October 2026
Get a planted price on 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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We deliver and plant across Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Naples, Estero, Bonita Springs and about an hour around.