Super King Ixora (Super King Flame of the Woods) care

Light

Aim for at least 4-6 hours of direct sun on the leaves. Requires full sun (6+ hours) for maximum flower production and dense, healthy growth. 'Super King' is a high-light cultivar; shading results in reduced flowering, leggy growth, and increased disease susceptibility. South-facing walls or open beds are ideal positions. If your only bright window faces south, that's perfect for super king ixora — same window any aroid would fry on.

Watering

Watering super king ixora: every 2-3 days in active growing season, weekly in winter. The number that matters isn't the day of the week — it's how dry the top 2-3 cm of the pot feels. A finger in the soil tells you more than a watering app. After every watering, tip the saucer. Keep soil consistently moist. The large flower clusters require adequate and consistent water; drought stress leads to rapid bud drop. Water deeply at the root zone, avoiding wetting flowers directly. Use slightly acidic or soft water; hard alkaline water causes pH creep and chlorosis.

Soil and pot

Super King Ixora grows best in acidic, humus-rich, free-draining garden loam or container mix. Ideal pH is 5.0-6.0. In landscape beds, mix in composted pine bark, sulfur, and coarse grit to acidify and improve drainage. For containers, use ericaceous potting compost with extra perlite (4:1). Top-dress annually with acidic compost. 'Super King' is more vigorous than standard Ixora coccinea and needs a nutrient-rich substrate. A pot with a working drainage hole is non-negotiable for this species — even free-draining mix will turn soggy in a closed planter. If you love the look of a decorative pot without a hole, use it as a cachepot around an inner nursery pot you can lift out to water.

Humidity and temperature

Super King Ixora sits happiest at around 60-85% humidity and 18-38°C (64-100°F). Thrives in high tropical humidity. In drier conditions, frequent misting of foliage (avoid wetting open flower clusters, which may rot) and pebble trays with water help maintain adequate moisture in the air around the plant. If you keep the room above 18 year-round and avoid placing the plant near a cold draught, a hot radiator, or an air-conditioning vent, you have already handled the two biggest indoor stressors.

Fertilising

Feed super king ixora sparingly. Apply an acid-forming slow-release fertiliser (azalea/gardenia formula) in spring and midsummer. Supplement every 4-6 weeks during active growth with a water-soluble acidic fertiliser. Include chelated iron and micronutrient supplements twice a year. 'Super King' is a heavy feeder due to its vigorous growth and prolific blooming. Skip fertiliser entirely on a stressed, recently-repotted, or actively wilting plant — fertiliser salts make damage worse, not better. Wait for a round of healthy new growth before resuming a feeding rhythm.

Common problems

Below are the issues we see most often on super king ixora in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

• Interveinal chlorosis — 'Super King' is especially sensitive to high soil pH causing iron chlorosis — new leaves yellow while veins stay green. Test pH and amend with sulfur or acidifying fertiliser. Apply chelated iron chelate at 4-6 week intervals until colour returns. Use only soft or rainwater for irrigation.
• Sooty mold from scale insects — Waxy brown scale insects on stems secrete honeydew that supports black sooty mold on leaf surfaces. Remove scale with horticultural oil spray; clean sooty mold from leaves with dilute soap solution. Ensure good air circulation and avoid excess nitrogen feeding.
• Bud drop after transport or repotting — Environmental changes — moving location, root disturbance, or temperature shock — frequently cause bud drop. After purchase or repotting, keep the plant in stable conditions; do not move a budding plant. Consistent warmth and light help buds develop to open flowers.

Propagation

Propagate from 10-15 cm semi-hardwood cuttings taken in late spring. Wound the base, apply IBA rooting hormone, and insert into a moist ericaceous/perlite mix (1:1) in a propagation tray. Maintain 26-30 °C with bottom heat and a humidity dome. Rooting occurs in 6-10 weeks. 'Super King' roots more readily than many Ixora cultivars due to its vigorous genetics. Propagation is the cheapest, most satisfying way to expand a collection — and it doubles as insurance against losing a mature plant to an accident. Take a backup cutting once the parent is established and healthy.

Toxicity to pets

Super King Ixora is mildly toxic to pets. Ixora coccinea and its cultivars including 'Super King' are not listed individually by ASPCA as severely toxic. The genus contains iridoid glycosides and tannins which may cause mild gastrointestinal upset in pets and children if ingested. Not considered life-threatening but best kept out of reach of animals and young children. If you keep cats, dogs, or curious children in the house, weigh placement carefully — a high shelf or a hanging planter is enough for casual safety. For severe ingestion incidents, call your local vet and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (in the US, 888-426-4435).

Pet-safety status is sourced from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, which catalogues the most-asked-about plants for cats, dogs, and horses.

Super King Ixora deep-dive guides

Every aspect of super king ixora care, each with its own calibrated guide:

• Super King Ixora watering schedule
• Super King Ixora light requirements
• Best soil mix for super king ixora
• Super King Ixora fertilizing guide
• When to repot super king ixora
• How to propagate super king ixora
• Super King Ixora growth rate & size
• Super King Ixora cold hardiness
• Super King Ixora temperature & humidity
• Is super king ixora toxic to cats & dogs?
• Is super king ixora toxic to cats?
• Is super king ixora toxic to dogs?

Featured in these plant shortlists

Super King Ixora qualifies for 4 curated Growli shortlists — each one filtered objectively from our structured plant-care library, so the selection is consistent and checkable:

• Best drought-tolerant houseplants — Houseplants that prefer to dry out — forgiving of forgotten watering and ideal for travel or busy weeks.
• Best humidity-loving houseplants — Houseplants that thrive in a bathroom, kitchen, or by a humidifier — selected by documented humidity preference.
• Best houseplants for full sun — Houseplants that want direct sun — the species for a hot south or west-facing windowsill where shade-lovers scorch.
• Best fast-growing houseplants — Houseplants documented as fast or vigorous growers — quick to fill a pot, cover a pole or trail down a shelf.
• Browse all 29 plant shortlists — pet-safe, low-light, drought-tolerant and more

Related guides

Super King Ixora is also commonly called Super King Ixora or Super King Flame of the Woods.

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