Plant guide
Jungle geranium
Ixora coccinea
Jungle geranium is considered non-toxic to cats. Also called ixora, it can add flowers to a warm patio or sunny indoor space. It is not a Pelargonium geranium.
Non-toxic does not mean edible. Eating plant material can still upset your cat’s stomach.
What this guide covers: Ixora coccinea only. Confirm the botanical label; a photograph cannot identify a visitor’s specimen.
Photo:
Photo details
NC State Extension — Ixora coccinea
By Alejandro Bayer Tamayo
License: CC BY-SA 2.0
Original photograph unchanged; proportionally resized for review and display.
This displayed image is shared under the same CC BY-SA 2.0 license.
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Photo:
Photo details
NC State Extension — Ixora coccinea
By Alejandro Bayer Tamayo
License: CC BY-SA 2.0
Original photograph unchanged; proportionally resized for review and display.
This displayed image is shared under the same CC BY-SA 2.0 license.
Maui Red ixora plant
View on Amazon — Maui Red ixora plant; paid link; opens in a new tabPaid link · Opens in a new tab
Non-toxic does not mean edible. Chewing plants can still upset your cat’s stomach.
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Look for Ixora coccinea and check the selected variety. Listings and availability can change.
Plant identity
- Scientific name
- Ixora coccinea
- Scope
- Species
- Family
- Not recorded
- Also known as
- No reviewed aliases available
Find the right spot
How to grow this plant
Ixora coccinea only; the care categories summarize the cited growing guidance.
- Light
- Sunny position or Some direct sun
Give outdoor plants sun with light afternoon shade; choose a sunny spot indoors.
- Watering
- Keep evenly moist
Maintain moist soil without sacrificing drainage.
- Temperature
- Temperature range not yet established
Protect it from temperatures below 50°F; this is a cold limit, not a complete growing range.
- Potting
- Use acidic, organic-rich soil with good drainage.
- Through the year
- Prune in late winter to manage its shape.
Growing-guide sources
- Ixora coccinea identity and growing guidance ↗NC State Extension · Accessed 2026-10-17
Exact named plant; outdoor and seasonal conditions retain their original context.
Growing advice reviewed 2026-10-17. Plant safety is assessed separately.
Reviewed safety information
- Toxic principle
- Not recorded in the reviewed evidence
- Reported signs
- Not recorded in the reviewed evidence
Missing information is unknown. It should not be interpreted as an absence of risk.
Safe alternatives
No verified alternative recommendations are available for this guide.
Sources & review
- Jungle geranium cat/pet safety reference ↗ASPCA · Accessed
ASPCA’s Iron Tree entry explicitly names Ixora coccinea as non-toxic to cats. The botanical identity, not the ambiguous “iron tree” or “geranium” nickname, controls this guide.
- Jungle geranium: supporting reference ↗NC State Extension · Accessed 2026-10-17
Safety last reviewed .