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Ruellia brittoniana (Mexican Petunia)

Mexican Petunia, Desert Petunia, Florida Bluebells, Mexican Blue Bells, Ruellia simplex, Ruellia tweediana, Ruellia spectabilis

Ruellia brittoniana, Mexican Petunia, Desert Petunia, Florida Bluebells, Mexican Blue Bells, Ruellia simplex, Ruellia tweediana, Ruellia spectabilis, Lavender flowers, drought tolerant perennials
Ruellia brittoniana, Mexican Petunia, Desert Petunia, Florida Bluebells, Mexican Blue Bells, Ruellia simplex, Ruellia tweediana, Ruellia spectabilis, Lavender flowers, drought tolerant perennials
Ruellia brittoniana, Mexican Petunia, Desert Petunia, Florida Bluebells, Mexican Blue Bells, Ruellia simplex, Ruellia tweediana, Ruellia spectabilis, Lavender flowers, drought tolerant perennials

Ruellia brittoniana (Mexican Petunia) is a shrubby perennial boasting a profusion of petunia-like, vibrant lavender-blue flowers, 2 in. across (5 cm), from midsummer to fall. Borne solitary or in clusters at the tips of purplish stems, they rise above the foliage of lance-shaped, glossy green leaves. Very showy, they are attractive to butterflies, bees and other pollinators. They give way to bean-like pods which explosively dehisce mature seed in all directions. Tough as nails, Mexican Petunia tolerates heat, humidity and drought. However, the fact that this plant is a survivor can become an issue in some areas. In warm and moist climates and unmanaged areas, it can be invasive. It reseeds readily and spreads by stolons, making its removal challenging. However, in areas where it is not winter hardy (Zones 3-7), Mexican Petunia makes an excellent annual plant. 

  • Grows up to 36 in. tall (90 cm) and 18 in. wide (45 cm). 
  • Performs best in full sun or part shade in medium to wet soils. This plant can withstand both wet and drought conditions, full sun and shade. Can be grown in wet soils, along with other bog plants, and can be planted in water up to 6 in. (15 cm) deep.
  • Virtually pest and disease free.
  • Cut back stems after flowering to encourage new flowers.
  • Easy to propagate by cuttings, division and seed.
  • Native to Mexico, Western South America and the Antilles.

Requirements

Hardiness 8 - 10
Climate Zones 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2
Plant Type Aquatic Plants, Perennials
Plant Family Acanthaceae
Genus Ruellia
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 24" (60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low, Average, High
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive, Poorly Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Wet Soil
Attracts Bees, Butterflies
Garden Uses Ground Covers, Patio And Containers, Ponds And Streams, Water Gardens
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Prairie and Meadow
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Ruellia caroliniensis, Carolina Wild Petunia, Wild Petunia, Lavender flowers, Lilac Flowers, Purple Flowers
Ruellia squarrosa, Water Bluebell, Creeping Ruellia, Trailing Ruellia, Lavender flowers, aquatic plants, groundcover
Ruellia elegans, Red Ruellia, Elegant Ruellia, Red flowers, drought tolerant perennials
Ruellia humilis,Wild Petunia, Prairie Petunia, Fringeleaf Wild Petunia, Hairy Ruellia, Low Wild Petunia, Low Ruellia, Fringeleaf Ruellia, Lavender flowers, drought tolerant perennials

Recommended Companion Plants

Asclepias Tuberosa, (Butterfly Weed), Butterfly Flower, Butterfly Root, Butterfly Weed, Chieger Flower, Flux Root, Indian Paintbrush, Indian Potato, Orange Root, Pleurisy Root, Swallow Root, Tuber Root, White Root, Wind Root, Windward Root, summer perennial, drought tolerant perennial, orange flowers, yellow flowers
Echinacea Pallida, Pale Purple Coneflower, Rudbeckia Pallida, Brouneria Pallida, Purple Coneflower, Purple Echinacea, Coneflower, Cone flowers, Coneflowers
Eryngium Yuccifolium, Rattlesnake Master, Button Snakeroot, Rattlesnake's Master, Button Eryngo, Dry soils plants, Blue flowers, silver perennials
Penstemon Barbatus 'Coccineus, Penstemon Barbatus Subsp. Coccineus, Beardlip Penstemon, Beard Tongue 'Coccineus', BeardTongue 'Coccineus', Penstemon 'Coccineus, Red Penstemon, Scarlet Beardtongue
Pulsatilla Vulgaris,Pasque Flower, Pasqueflower, Meadow Anemone, April Fools, Badgers, Blue Money, Blue Tulip, Drought tolerant perennials, Purple perennial flowers, Evergreen perennial, Low maintenance perennial, perennial g
Baptisia Australis var. Minor, Dwarf False Indigo, Blue Wild Indigo, Baptisia minor, Baptisia texana, Baptisia vespertina, Dwarf Blue Indigo, blue flowers, blue perennialsAward General
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 8 - 10
Climate Zones 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2
Plant Type Aquatic Plants, Perennials
Plant Family Acanthaceae
Genus Ruellia
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 24" (60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low, Average, High
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive, Poorly Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Wet Soil
Attracts Bees, Butterflies
Garden Uses Ground Covers, Patio And Containers, Ponds And Streams, Water Gardens
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Prairie and Meadow
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Learn Now
Not sure which Ruellia to pick?
Compare Now

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