Product Review
Product Information:
Common Name: Ixora Odorata
Botanical Name: Ixora odorata
Mature Size: 4 to 6 feet
Flower Color: Wihte to yellow
Bloom Form: Cluster florets
Fragrance: Light
Recommended USDA Zone: 8B, 9, 10
Soil Type: Fertile Well Draining
Soil PH: Acidic
Watering: Moderate
Special Features: Large lightly fragrant flower head
Suggested Uses: Hedge, accent, potted
House Plant Adaptive: Yes with careful acclimation and supplemental light
Limited Conditional Warranty: Healthy arrival
Extended Long Term Warranty: None
The Odorata Ixora is a unique old heirloom cultivar that blooms white and has the unique distinctions of being somewhat more cold tolerant than others, will grow and flower in moderate shade and is lightly fragrant.
The growth habit is tall, open and upright, maturing at about 4 to 5 feet tall if left to its own devices. It has large, dull green, elongated leaves with a prominent red vein that grow in opposing pairs.Â
Odorata blooms somewhat seasonally, with the peak bloom occurring in the late spring to early summer. It will frequently throw scattered flowers throughout the warm season with another bloom cycle in the fall.
Although Odorata is somewhat more cold tolerant than many ixoras, it still will perform best with good protection from the cold. It can often withstand exposure to lower temps for a longer during, but generally does defoliate, burn back and suffer damage as a result.
The flowers are large 4 to 6 inch clusters of star shaped florets, that open slowly in bright pure white and then fade to a creamy, yellow-ivory as they age.
- The Odorata Ixora is a unique species of Ixora that matures as a tall, open-growing, upright bush at about 5 to 6 ft with opposing pairs of large, red-veined, dull olive-toned, elongated leaves. It produces large clusters of white flowers, is lightly fragrant, is somewhat more cold-tolerant, and will thrive and bloom in moderate shade.
- It blooms seasonally, with the peak bloom cycles occurring in the late spring and fall. It frequently throws scattered flowers throughout the warm season.. The flowers are large, 4 to 6 inch diameter clusters of star-shaped florets, that open slowly in bright pure white and fade to a creamy, yellow-ivory as they age.
- Care: Ixoras are easy to grow once well-established, but need careful attention to watering until their root system fully matures. They require a full spectrum of light for 4 to 6 hours daily to flower, so locate them in full sun to very light dappled afternoon shade in well-draining, acidic soil. Prune them after flowering to maintain shape, and fertilize annually in the spring with a quality slow-release fertilizer.
- Indoor Growing: While Ixoras can be grown in pots indefinitely, they are not well-suited for the average indoor environment. The require the full spectrum of light for 4 to 6 hours daily, warm temperatures with at least a 10*F day/night differential, high humidity and mild chilling during winter dormancy to produce flowers.
- Climate: Ixoras are tropical plants and are recommended for growing in USDA Zones 9, 10, and 11. Protection from cold temperatures is required in all zones for the longest life, best appearance, and earliest flowering. Note that Zone recommendations are based on average temperatures and do not consider factors such as humidity, rainfall, or day/night temperature variations.. Every growing environment has unique challenges.
