Mexican Petunia

(Ruellia simplex)

Mexican Petunia (Ruellia simplex)

Jim Evans

CC BY-SA 4.0

Image By: Jim Evans

Recorded By:

Copyright Notice: Photo by: Jim Evans | License Type: CC BY-SA 4.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0 | Uploader: Jim Evans | Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Title: Wild_Petunia_--_Ruellia_Simplex.jpg | Notes: {{BotMoveToCommons|en.wikipedia|year={{subst:CURRENTYEAR}}|month={{subst:CURRENTMONTHNAME}}|day={{subst:CURRENTDAY}}}} {{Information |Description={{en|Ruscus hypoglossum L Grand Canyon Of Crimea}} |Source=Transferred from [http://en.wikipedia.org e |

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Ruellia simplex, commonly known as Mexican Petunia, is an evergreen perennial herb native to Mexico and Central and South America, often found in open woodlands and along streambanks. It typically grows to 3 ft (0.91 m) in height, forming dense colonies with stalks bearing lance-shaped leaves that are 6 to 12 in (15 to 30 cm) long and 0.5 to 0.75 in (1.3 to 1.9 cm) wide. The plant produces showy, trumpet-shaped flowers that are metallic blue to purple, with five petals, each about 3 in (7.6 cm) across. Flowering occurs throughout the warm months, providing a long-lasting display. There is a dwarf variety known as ’Katie’ that reaches only 1 ft (0.30 m) tall.

Mexican Petunia is valued for its vibrant flowers and ability to form quick ground cover. It is used in borders, mass plantings, and as a container plant. It is relatively low-maintenance, tolerating a range of soil conditions, though it prefers moist, well-drained soils. It thrives in full sun to part shade and requires medium to high amounts of water. While it is generally pest-free, it can be prone to root rot in overly wet conditions. Ruellia simplex can become invasive, particularly in regions like Florida, where it can escape cultivation and disrupt native plant communities. Gardeners should be cautious and check local regulations before planting.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type:
Height: 3-4 feet
Width: 2-3 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate
Flower Color: Purple
Flowering Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
Leaf Retention: Evergreen

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
Water: Medium
Drainage: Medium, Slow

Common Uses

Bank Stabilization, Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Erosion Control, Groundcover, Hummingbird Garden, Potted Plant, Showy Flowers, Street Planting, Water Garden

Natural Habitat

Native to Mexico, the Antilles, and Argentina, often found in open woodlands and along streambanks

Other Names

Common Names: Mexican Bluebell , Britton’s Wild Petunia , Softseed Wild Petunia , A-Ias-Doce-Me-Voy , Guauci

Scientific Names: Ruellia brittoniana , Ruellia simplex , Ruellia caerulea , Ruellia coerulea , Ruellia tweedyana , Ruellia angustifolia , Ruellia tweedieana , Ruellia microphylla , Arrhostoxylum microphyllum , Cryphiacanthus angustifolius

GBIF Accepted Name: Ruellia simplex Wright