Ruellia Brittoniana

Ruellia brittoniana

Ruellia simplex can be grown in either the shade or full sun, and is great for edging or mass plantings. Interestingly, the stem of this plant becomes more purple when it's in bright light, as opposed to when it's grown in a shady area, where the stem stays fairly green.

How tall does Ruellia brittoniana grow?

Grows up to 36 in. tall (90 cm) and 18 in. wide (45 cm). Performs best in full sun or part shade in medium to wet soils.

Do Ruellia come back every year?

Yes, Ruellia brittoniana is a perennial. In areas with warm winters, this plant is evergreen. For areas with cold winters, it is sometimes used as an annual.

Is Ruellia Brittoniana a perennial?

This tough perennial is naturalized throughout much of the Southwest and can self-sow aggressively in the landscape. But don't be afraid to try this easy-to-grow plant with its dark-green, purple-tinged leaves and 2-inch flowers. Flower colors include purple, blue, light pink and white.

Do hummingbirds like Ruellia?

The continuous display of violet blue funnel shaped flowers extend on short stems from the leaf axils, and attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.

Is Ruellia toxic to dogs?

brittoniana is completely non-toxic; however, its absence from the lists is a good indication that it is harmless.

How long do Ruellia bloom for?

Ruellia brittoniana 'Purple Showers' 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.

What can I plant next to Ruellia?

COMPANION & UNDERSTUDY PLANTS: Try pairing Ruellia humilis with Aster laevis, Coreopsis tripteris, Penstemon digitalis, Solidago nemoralis, Bouteloua curtipendula, Eragrostis spectabilis, Sorghastrum nutans or Schizachyrium scoparium.

Are Ruellia invasive?

But Mexican petunias are actually Ruellia simplex, fast-growing perennials with green to purple stems and green leaves. The wild, invasive form of this plant is so aggressive, it's banned in some states, and it's on a watch list of invasive plants in others.

How do you take care of a Ruellia flower?

Your Guide to Care Light: Ruellia plants prefer full sun, however they will also tolerate partial shade. The more sun, the more flowers will be produced. If your climate is brutally hot, you may want to give more shade. Water: The best watering approach for the Mexican petunia is to keep the soil consistently moist.

Do Ruellia attract butterflies?

Yes, Mexican petunia (Ruellia) does attract butterflies. Many different butterflies enjoy visiting its flowers for their nectar, and some butterflies may use it as a host plant in their caterpillar stage.

Are Ruellia drought tolerant?

Mexican petunia is Ruellia. It is an extremely heat and drought tolerant perennial. There is a standard variety that grows about three feet tall and has purple flowers and is very hardy.

Will Ruellia come back after freeze?

A: Yes, ruellia will freeze to the ground naturally after the first frost. You can clip stems back to two inches high when they turn brown. Ruellia will resprout from the roots next spring.

How do you overwinter Ruellia?

ANSWER: Overwintering Ruellia indoors is possible and best achieved by taking cuttings in late summer and growing the rooted cuttings through the winter. Moving a container plant inside in the fall can also be successful but runs the risk of bringing in pests with the plant.

Will Mexican petunias come back after a freeze?

A: Mexican petunia is considered an herbaceous perennial, which means it freezes to the ground if it gets too cold and grows back from the base. It is summer flowering so the flowers develop on new growth. Flowers will develop on new growth from older wood as well as from new growth at the bottom.

Is Ruellia poisonous?

Ruellias are popular ornamental plants. Some are used as medicinal plants, but many are known or suspected to be poisonous.

What is a hummingbird's favorite flower?

Brightly-colored flowers that are tubular tend to produce the most nectar, and are particularly attractive to hummingbirds. These include perennials such as bee balms, columbines, daylilies, and lupines; biennials such as foxgloves and hollyhocks; and many annuals, including cleomes, impatiens, and petunias.

Why is my Mexican petunia not blooming?

Common Reasons Why Petunias Aren't Blooming Petunias need about 6 hours of direct sunlight a day to bloom. Anything less and existing buds may not open, and new buds will not even form. Not enough sunlight is an easy fix, and you can either move the container or basket or transplant the Petunias to a sunnier spot.

What is the most toxic plant to dogs?

The following plants are the most toxic to dogs and should never be made available to them under any circumstances:

Castor bean or castor oil plant (Ricinus communis)
Cyclamen (Cylamen spp.)
Dumbcane (Dieffenbachia)
Hemlock (Conium maculatum)
English Ivy, both leaves and berries (Hedera helix)
Mistletoe (Viscum album)

What animal eats Mexican petunias?

The insect culprit is Heliothis virescens also known as the Tobacco Budworm, Geranium Budworm and Petunia Budworm. It is a 1” brown moth that usually flutters around the plants in the evening.