Ruellia brittoniana 'Purple Showers' (Mexican petunia, Common ruellia, Wild petunia)

Photo/Illustration: Michelle Gervais

(Based on 6 user reviews)

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Hardiness Zones:

Botanical Name: Ruellia brittoniana 'Purple Showers' roo-EL-lee-a brit-tone-ee-AY-nah

Common Name: Mexican petunia, Common ruellia, Wild petunia Genus: Ruellia

This three-foot-tall evergreen shrub bears many tubular, blue or purple, petunia-like flowers on dark stems over a long period. Each flower lasts for just one day. It is a fast grower that may self-seed aggressively. Use in a border, container, or at waterside. Can be grown as an annual in cooler areas.
Noteworthy characteristics: Petunia-like flowers from spring to frost. Native to Mexico and the southwestern U.S.
Care: Ruellia needs a warm climate. Site in partial shade and fertile, consistently moist, but well-drained soil.
Propagation: Seed or softwood cuttings in spring. Self-sows aggressively if conditions are right.
Problems: Nothing serious.

Overview
User Reviews
Photos

Height	1 ft. to 3 ft.
Spread	1 ft. to 3 ft.
Growth Pace	Fast Grower;Invasive/Aggressive Grower
Light	Full Sun to Part Shade
Moisture	Medium to Wet
Maintenance	Moderate
Characteristics	Attracts Butterflies; Native; Showy Flowers
Bloom Time	Early Fall; Early Summer; Late Spring; Late Summer; Summer
Flower Color	Blue Flower; Purple/ Lavender Flower
Uses	Beds and Borders, Container, Suitable as Annual, Waterside
Seasonal Interest	Spring Interest, Summer Interest, Fall Interest
Type	Perennials

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posted by Rainbowman18
6/20/2009
Region: Southeast
Zone: 11

I started with a couple of stems a few years ago and took cuttings to propagate, now I have multiple stands of these indestructible beauties. I find the bluish/purple flowers go very well with my Cuban Buttercups, which are a true yellow. My purplish/red bougainvillea is a great contrast to the ruellias also. Two mornings ago I planted some zephyranthes candidas... white rain lilies... in front of the ruellias and expect the white and purple will go very nicely together. I also mixed in some rosea and citrina... rose pink and yellow rain lilies near the ruellias and a spathaglottis with pink blooms. The rain lilies should grow very well and multiply quickly here in the Everglades. I must also say that the ruellias will grow in standing water, as good as they will tolerate down and outright drought. A marvelous pest-free plant for a deep south Florida garden. I highly recommend them to anyone who loves the color purple in their landscape. I also offer cuttings of this plant as well as some of my other garden treasures.....

posted by jon0523
1/25/2009
Region: Southwest
Zone: 9

Flower production increases with the amount of sunlight. Leaves are more narrow in full sun. Each flower lasts for one day or less. In full Arizona sun the flowers begin to drop by 2 pm. Pink, white, and various shades of blue/purple available. Blooms from April to the first freeze. Dwarf form avaiable but appears messy as spent blooms accumulate on the top of the plant and are difficult to remove.

posted by clmiller
6/12/2008
Region: Southeast
Zone: 9

This plant is pretty, but I've found it to be terribly invasive. I planted it in one area near my waterfall and it tried to completely take over. I find it sprouting up all over my entire garden, even on the other side of the pool. It's very hard to get rid of.

posted by Bloomatic
4/25/2008
Region: South
Zone: 8

Love this plant and haven't found it at all invasive, but then maybe it's because it would like more moisture than my sandy soil offers. I've had my plants for several years now and would be very happy if they decided to have babies. The purple color is a wonderful mixer in the border.

posted by karolinawren
4/8/2008
Region: South
Zone: 7

My ruellia that received more sun grew a bit taller -- around 4 feet or so, those in partly sunny area were shorter. Prolific flowers, nonstop beginning in mid to late summer here in N. Carolina. Self seeds (but not too aggressive in my location).

posted by lstone
3/27/2008
Region: Northeast
Zone: 6

Grown in a container with average potting soil and very little feeding as an annual both from purchased plants and gathered seed. Will get to be very tall 4-5' if starting with an established over-wintered plant which I had last season. Flowers short lived but continuous blooms up until frost. Seeds need a very early start in my zone to achieve any size but small plants grown from seed still bloomed well. Tried overwintering large plant outside with protection and don't know yet if it survived. No special care or insect/disease problem noted in the several years I have grown this plant. Flowers are my favorite purple color and dark purple stems make it an attractive plant.

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