Gardeners looking for a showy summer ornamental with floriferous displays of blossoms and can take our Texas heat while growing in full sun might consider Mexican petunia, Ruellia brittoniana ... The Mexican petunia, or Ruellia brittoniana (also known as false petunia), is growing in popularity in commercial and home landscapes. Not only does it endure high heat and humidity, but it is also a ...

Understanding the Context

Mexican petunia is not a real petunia, but its flower looks like one. One accepted botanical name is Ruellia brittoniana, but you'll also see it called R. malacosperma and R. tweediana.

Key Insights

Ruellia brittoniana (Mexican Petunia) is a shrubby perennial boasting a profusion of petunia-like, vibrant lavender-blue flowers, 2 in. across (5 cm), from midsummer to fall. The most common, oldest, and most widely accepted name given to Ruellia Brittoniana is Ruellia Simplex. The origin of this flowering dicotyledonous plant is Mexico. Ruellia x brittoniana, more commonly known as Mexican Petunia, Mexican Hardy Petunia or Mexican Bluebell, is a flowering perennial that thrives where many others fail.

Final Thoughts

Ruellia brittoniana grow and care – herbaceous of the genus also known as Ruellia simplex, Ruellia brittoniana perennial evergreen plant, used as ornamental groundcover plant and attract butterflies, can grow in subtropical, mediterranean, desert temperate or tropic climate and growing in hardiness zone 9+. Learn the best care for Ruellia brittoniana: watering, soil, pruning, propagation, and practical tips to enjoy its blooms year-round. Mexican Petunia β€˜Katie’ is a compact, clumping perennial valued for its violet-purple flowers, narrow deep green leaves, and tough, drought-tolerant nature. This dwarf selection of Ruellia brittoniana stays low and well-behaved in the garden, making it a favorite for borders, mass plantings, and groundcovers in Central and South Texas. It blooms from late spring through fall, attracting ...