🌺 Jungle Flame (Rongon / Ixora) – Burning Garden Paint

Jungle Flame, also known as Rongon or Ixora, is a vibrant evergreen shrub famous for its dense, rounded clusters of small, bright flowers—often fiery red but also available in shades of orange, pink, and yellow. Native to South Asia and parts of the Americas, it’s a beloved garden staple and a common choice for Hindu puja flowers and temple decorations.

🌿 Care Tips for Rongon:

• Soil: Needs well-drained, fertile, and acidic soil—adding organic matter improves growth. Yellowing leaves often indicate a need for more soil acidity or iron supplementation.

• Sun: Thrives in full sun. The more sunlight, the more profuse the flowering. Partial shade reduces blooms.

• Water: Requires clear, regular watering especially during hot or flowering periods. Keep soil moist but never waterlogged—Rongon dislikes drought.

• Pruning: Prune after flowering to maintain shape, encourage bushiness, and promote new blooms. Ideal for hedges and borders.

• Fertilizer: Feed regularly during the growing season using fertilizers suited for acid-loving plants.

• Pests: Watch for aphids, scale insects, and sooty mold which can follow beetle infestations. Healthy soil pH helps keep plants resilient.

🌟 Advantages of Rongon:

• Appearance: Highly popular for its bright, dense, and long-lasting flower clusters. Perfect for hedges, garden borders, and container planting. Adds a tropical splash of color anywhere.

• Cultural & Religious Significance: The flowers, especially the red varieties, are frequently used in Hindu puja offerings, temple decorations, and garlands, symbolizing auspiciousness.

• Health & Traditional Uses: Used in Ayurveda for skin treatments and to soothe stomach ailments. Various parts of the plant have been traditionally used for medicinal purposes.

• Pollinator Friendly: Its colorful flowers attract butterflies and other beneficial pollinators, enhancing garden biodiversity.

Jungle Flame is truly a “burning” burst of tropical color and cultural significance—ideal for gardeners seeking beauty, tradition, and pollinator-friendly plants.