Ruellia simplex (Mexican petunia)
Ruellia simplex (Mexican petunia) flower with delicate purple petals resting against a metal wire grid
Botanical names: Ruellia simplex, Ruellia brittoniana
Common names: Mexican petunia, Mexican Blue Bell
Family: Acanthaceae
Origin: Mexico
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
USDA Zone: 8-10
Plant form: Small
Mature height: 2-5 ft
Sun exposure: Full sun or bright light indoor
Cold tolerance: Tolerates light freezing to about 30°F for short periods (mature plants). Young plants must be protected.
Watering: Moderate; tolerates dry conditions
Flower color: Pink; white and off-white; blue, lavender, purple
Suitable for: Outdoors in the suitable USDA zone; small gardens, containers, and indoor growing
Wildlife: Attracts butterflies and hummingbirdsDwarf ruellia plants never get over 1 ft tall and the flowers are bunched right in with the leaves on very short stems. Although the blossoms each last only one day, there are usually plenty of buds forming so that there is a succession of new blooms over long periods. The leaves of this ruellia are dark green and very slender. The flower resembles a Petunia in form. As with the other ruellias, this flower does well under quite a variety of conditions, including full sun to shade, as well as dry to damp. They are rather cold-tender and can sometimes be killed by a very hard freeze, but most of the time they come back from the roots.
Similar plants: Ruellia simplex (Mexican petunia)
- Ruellia affinis (Red Ruellia)
- Ruellia chartacea (Colorama)
- Ruellia devosiana (Brazilian Wild Petunia)
- Ruellia elegans (Red ruellia)
- Ruellia macrantha (Christmas Pride ruellia)
- Ruellia makoyana (Monkey flower)
- Ruellia multisetosa (Columbian Petunia)
- Ruellia nudiflora (Violet Ruellia)
- Ruellia peninsularis (Desert Ruellia)
- Ruellia portellae (Ruellia)
Ruellia simplex (Mexican petunia) with multiple pink flowers among thin dark green foliage near the ground.
Ruellia simplex (Mexican petunia) white flower clusters rising above narrow deep green foliage
Ruellia simplex (Mexican petunia) purple flower with delicate petals and deep center color alongside leaves.
Ruellia simplex (Mexican petunia) purple flower resting among thin green leaves after a light rain.
Ruellia simplex (Mexican petunia) purple flower with delicate ruffled petals and a deep throat.
Ruellia simplex (Mexican petunia) purple flower with five distinct ruffled petals on narrow green foliage.
Ruellia simplex (Mexican petunia) white flower with delicate veined petals against deep green foliage background
Ruellia simplex (Mexican petunia) displays open trumpet-shaped purple petals among narrow dark green leaves.
Ruellia simplex (Mexican petunia) purple flower among long narrow green leaves in a close view.
Ruellia simplex (Mexican petunia) with white flower clusters nestled deep within thick dark green leaves.
Ruellia simplex (Mexican petunia) pink flower with delicate crinkled petals and a deep center
Ruellia simplex (Mexican petunia) petal cluster with pink color and dark centers among green leaves.
Ruellia simplex flower with ruffled purple petals against narrow soft green foliage
Ruellia simplex (Mexican petunia) purple flower with thin petals held near small green buds
Ruellia simplex (Mexican petunia) pink flower with delicate petals alongside narrow deep green foliage
Ruellia simplex purple flowers with narrow green foliage on multiple thin branches
Ruellia simplex (Mexican petunia) purple flower petals sit against narrow green leaves and white fence.
Ruellia simplex (Mexican petunia) plant with vibrant purple flower and long narrow green pointed leaves
Ruellia simplex (Mexican petunia) white flower nestled among thin green leaves in a natural setting
Ruellia simplex (Mexican petunia) purple flower with five petals alongside thin green stems and leaves.
Ruellia simplex (Mexican petunia) purple flower clusters within a black nursery container top view
Ruellia simplex (Mexican petunia) purple flower with long narrow green leaves in a dark container.
Ruellia simplex (Mexican petunia) with vibrant purple and white petals nestled among narrow green leaves.
Link to this plant:
https://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/ruellia_brittoniana.htm
It is an improved dwarf variety that continues to bloom summer-long, without deadheading! Large bright flowers are backed by low, spreading mounds narrow, dark green foliage. This tough, heat-loving perennial is disease and insect resistant. Perfect for dry, neglected spots in cooler summer regions, and thrives with regular garden water in hotter regions. Evergreen in frost-free areas.
Recommended Fertilizer: SUNSHINE Megaflor - Bloom Nutrition Booster
Recommended Fertilizer: SUNSHINE Megaflor - Bloom Nutrition Booster
Grown in
6"/1 gal or larger pot
2 Plants in stock
$9.95