Ruellia noctiflora, commonly known as Nightflowering Wild Petunia, is a herbaceous perennial native to coastal plains, marsh edges, and dune systems along the Gulf Coast. It typically grows to a height of 16 inches (41 cm) with oval, pointed, and usually stalkless leaves borne in pairs on thin, hairy, purplish stems. The plant is notable for its white, trumpet-shaped, five-petalled flowers, each 3 inches (7.6 cm) long and 4 inches (10 cm) across. These flowers open at night and fall by mid-morning, displaying a unique adaptation to nocturnal pollinators such as hawk moths, whose long proboscises can reach the nectar at the base of the flower.

Nightflowering Wild Petunia thrives in moist environments and is often found in natural settings that provide high humidity and wet soils. It is a low-maintenance plant that can be used in rain gardens, borders, and as a ground cover in areas with wet conditions. Its nocturnal flowering habit makes it a unique addition to moon gardens, where it can be appreciated during evening hours. Gardeners should provide it with full sun to part shade and ensure the soil has medium drainage to mimic its natural habitat. While it requires high amounts of water, it is relatively drought-tolerant once established. One potential problem is that it can self-seed prolifically under optimal conditions, which may require management to prevent unwanted spread.CC BY-SA 4.0