How to Grow Ixora Maui Red - Plant Care & Tips

By NorwichGardener Team / 2024

Ixora maui red is a beautiful evergreen shrub that produces an abundance of small, four-petaled, deep red flowers. The Maui red ixora is a popular plant in Hawaii and is used in lei making. It is also a favorite of hummingbirds. This tropical plant is native to India and Sri Lanka and grows best in full sun to partial shade. Maui red ixora is drought tolerant once established and can reach a height of 6 to 8 feet.

How to Grow Ixora Maui Red - Plant Care & Tips

Also called

Ixora 'Maui Red'
Ixora coccinea 'Maui Red'
Ixora x coccinea 'Maui Red'
Ixora javanica 'Maui Red'
Ixora chinensis 'Maui Red'

Basic info

Ixora maui red is a tropical evergreen shrub that is native to the Hawaiian Islands.
It is also known as the false oleander or the ixora bush.
Ixora maui red can grow up to 10 feet tall and 6 feet wide.
The leaves are dark green and glossy with a leathery texture.
The flowers are red, pink, or orange and are borne in clusters.
Ixora maui red is long-blooming, with flowers appearing from spring to fall.
The shrub is drought-tolerant and does not require much care.
Ixora maui red is susceptible to pests and diseases, such as scale insects and powdery mildew.
It is also mildly toxic to humans and animals if ingested.
Ixora maui red is an excellent choice for hedges, screens, or accent plants in tropical landscape designs.

Related plant:
Chinese Ixora

Planting Process

For ixora maui red, first step is to find a place in your garden that has well-drained, sandy soil and gets full sun.
Amend the soil with compost or manure to help ixora maui red grow.
Plant ixora maui red in the spring, after all danger of frost has passed.
Space ixora maui red plants 3 to 4 feet apart.
Water ixora maui red regularly, especially during dry spells.
Fertilize ixora maui red once a month with a balanced fertilizer.
Deadhead ixora maui red flowers regularly to encourage more blooms.
Pinch back ixora maui red tips to encourage bushier growth.
Protect ixora maui red from cold weather in the winter by mulching around the plants.
Enjoy the beautiful blooms of ixora maui red in your garden!

Related plant:
Ixora Maui

The Soil

About soil condition, Ixora maui red grows best in humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil, with a pH between 5.5 and 6.0. It prefers a sunny spot but can also tolerate partial shade.Ixora maui red is a shrub that can grow up to 4 meters tall. It has dark green leaves and clusters of red flowers. The flowers are about 2.5 cm in diameter and have a strong, sweet fragrance.Ixora maui red is native to the island of Maui in Hawaii. It is a popular plant in Hawaii and is often used in lei making.

Light condition

Like the other red Ixora, Maui red has sun light requirement around 6 hours daily. If the amount of sunlight is not enough, the leaves of Maui red will start to turn yellow and eventually drop off. buds and flowers will also be affected and will not bloom as much.

Good Temperature

The temperature condition of Ixora maui red is tropical and humid. It prefers warm weather and does not tolerate cold well. It needs full sun to partial sun, and average to high humidity. The ideal temperature range is 70-85 degrees Fahrenheit.

Ideal Humidity

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is between 60-70%. If the humidity is too low, the leaves will start to turn brown and drop off. If the humidity is too high, the leaves will become yellow and drop off.

Fertilizer Requirement

About fertilizer, this type of plant need a little more than others. For example, you can fertilize every two weeks during the growing season, using a fertilizer with a high phosphorus content. Avoid getting fertilizer on the leaves, as this can burn them. As for the root, it is best to let the soil dry out a bit between watering. Maui Reds are fairly drought-tolerant and can handle some neglect.

Light requirement

Pruning is an important part of keeping your ixora maui red healthy and looking its best. When and how you prune will depend on the type of ixora you have, as well as your personal preferences. Some people like to prune their ixora maui reds after every bloom cycle, while others only prune them once a year or so. If you do choose to prune your ixora maui red, be sure to do so carefully. These plants are susceptible to damage, so take care not to cut too deeply into the stem or leaves. When in doubt, its always better to err on the side of caution.

The Propagation

Propagation is best done by rooting stem cuttings taken from the tips of new growth. Cuttings should be 3-5 inches long and taken from healthy, disease-free plants. Place the cuttings in a well-drained potting mix and keep them moist until they root. Rooting will usually occur within 4-6 weeks. Once the cuttings have rooted, they can be transplanted into individual pots.

Growth Speed

Usually, the plant growth rate are considered slow to medium. However, it is possible to find fast-growing varieties. The average ixora maui red grows about 10 inches per year. Fast-growing varieties can grow up to 20 inches per year. Ixora maui reds are native to Maui, Hawaii.

Common Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are that the flowers may not be as bright as they should be and the plant may not bloom as heavily as expected. Also, the leaves may yellow and drop prematurely. These problems are typically caused by too much water or not enough fertilizer.

Growing Tips

Make sure to plant ixora maui red in an area that receives full sun.
Ixora maui red prefers well-drained soil.
Fertilize ixora maui red regularly with a balanced fertilizer.
Ixora maui red is a relatively drought-tolerant plant, so don't over-water it.
To encourage more blooms, deadhead spent flowers regularly.
Ixora maui red can be susceptible to aphids and other pests. Check your plant regularly and treat accordingly if needed.
Ixora maui red can be propagated from stem cuttings.
This plant can get leggy over time. To prevent this, pinch back the tips of the stems regularly.
Ixora maui red can be used as a specimen plant or in mass plant