Ruellia simplex typically starts flowering in late spring or early summer, usually in May or June.
Mexican petunia
Ruellia simplex
Mexican petunia is a beautiful evergreen plant from the tropical Americas. It has dark green pointed foliage, and its lavender-blue blooms remain vibrant throughout the year. The plant is extremely pleasing to the eye and often grow up to 3-4 feet in height. It prefers well-drained, moist soil and the occasional watering; it can grow in both full sun and partial shade. In addition, Mexican petunia is a rapidly-growing colorful plant that makes it highly desirable among gardeners. It is also relatively easy to propagate and does best with regular fertilization.
Cycle:
Herbaceous Perennial
Watering:
Average
Propagation:
Division,Cutting,Seed Propagation,Layering Propagation
Hardiness Zone:
8 - 10
Flowers:
Lavender to violet Flowers
Sun:
full sun
Leaf:
Yes
Leaf Color:
green,yellow,purple
Growth Rate:
High
Maintenance:
Moderate
Drought Tolerant:
Yes
Salt Tolerant:
Yes
Invasive:
Yes
Tropical:
Yes
watering
Mexican petunias should be watered once a week or when the top inch of soil feels dry. Water thoroughly, until water is draining out of the bottom of the container. Allow the soil to dry out a little between watering – about the top 1 to 2 inches – and then water. This is especially important during the winter months when the plant is dormant and needs less water.
sunlight
Mexican petunia prefers full sun for optimal growth. It requires 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight on a daily basis. This can be provided by placing the petunias in an open, sunny spot in your garden or a sunny windowsill indoors. If they are not exposed to sufficient amounts of sunlight, their bloom rate and growth may be significantly reduced.
pruning
Pruning Mexican petunias is important to encourage plant health and new blooms. Pruning should generally occur twice a year, once in mid-summer and again in late fall. In mid-summer, deadheading spent flowers by cutting them off at their base will encourage new blooms. In fall, hard pruning, cutting back the spent stems to the base of the plant, will encourage new growth the following season. If your Mexican petunias have become leggy due to lack of sunlight, hard prune them in late fall to create a more full and dense plant.
Season
Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering
Starts Flowering
Ruellia simplex typically starts flowering in late spring or early summer, usually in May or June.
