Species Mexican petunia

Mexican petunia

Ruellia brittoniana

Mexican petunia (Ruellia brittoniana) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Acanthaceae family, native to Mexico, Central America, and Southwestern Florida. It quickly spreads through runners, and is a popular choice for ground cover in landscapes. The plant produces purple, trumpet shaped flowers that will bloom from May to October. It tolerates heat, humidity, and drought, and prefers partial to full sun. Mexican petunia is a low maintenance plant that is easy to care for and won't take over your garden. It's great for borders, edging, and containers.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Frequent

Propagation:

Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

8

Flowers:

Showy, White, Blue Flowers In Summer

Sun:

Full sun, Part sun/part shade

Soil:

Humus rich

Fruits:

purple,pink,white Fruits In Autumn Ready In Summer

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,purple

Growth Rate:

High

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Moderate

watering

Mexican petunia requires regular watering throughout the growing season. They should be watered every few days, or when the top 1-2 inches of soil dry out. You may need to water even more often during hot, dry weather. It is important not to overwater the Mexican petunia, as this can cause root rot. It’s usually best to water in the morning, so that any excess water has time to evaporate before nightfall.

sunlight

Mexican petunia (Ruellia brittoniana) thrives in full sun exposure, which means it needs 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. During the summers, it should be placed in an area that receives full sun for most of the day, whereas during the winters, bright, indirect sunlight of 3 to 4 hours per day is sufficient. It may survive with even less light, but the blooming season will be shorter and the flowers will be fewer. Mexican petunia should be kept in a location that is protected from wind, as the delicate leaves can be easily damaged by strong gusts.

pruning

Mexican petunia (Ruellia brittoniana) is an ideal plant for a variety of settings and can be pruned regularly to keep its size and shape. It should be pruned in late spring or early summer when the plant begins to flower. Cutting the stems back to the desired size as needed will keep it looking tidy and prevent it from becoming too large. It is best to remove only 1/3 of the plant's growth each time it is pruned. This will ensure the plant has enough foliage to remain healthy and still look attractive.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Harvest Fruit

The best time to start harvesting the fruits from Ruellia brittoniana is typically in late summer or early fall, usually between August and October.

Starts Flowering

Ruellia brittoniana typically starts flowering in late spring or early summer, usually in May or June.

Starts Flowering

Ruellia brittoniana typically starts flowering in late spring or early summer, usually in May or June.

Harvest Fruit

The best time to start harvesting the fruits from Ruellia brittoniana is typically in late summer or early fall, usually between August and October.

Hardiness Map