Mexican Petunia

Mexican Petunia Care

Ruellia Brittoniana

Other names: Desert Petunia, Florida Bluebells, Ruellia Tweediana, Ruellia Spectabilis

What is the plant

The Mexican petunia (Ruellia brittoniana) is a beautiful addition to a flowering backyard retreat. As a hardy perennial (you only need to plant them once), the Mexican petunia is one of several desert plants that are recommended for warm, dry climates. They are inexpensive, low maintenance, and drought-resistant. Also known as Purple Showers, the Mexican petunia's flower petals are most commonly a vibrant violet color, but they can also be pink or white. Like daylilies, they only bloom once a day, but continuously bloom throughout the summer.

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Humidity

Normal

Lighting

Part Sun

Hardiness zone

8 - 11

Difficulty

Medium

Hibernation

Cold Period

How to Care for the Plant

Water
Even if you live in an arid climate, you can still raise a fantastic garden full of bright and showy Mexican petunias. They're unique in that they're drought resistant and yet they also survive floods. They do benefit from occasional watering in dry climates but can go without for long stretches of time.
Pruning
Mexican petunias do benefit from pruning, especially if they're grown as a hedge. Cutting back the stems after flowering will encourage new growth and even more blossoms. They don't get very tall—just 3 or 4 feet high—so keeping them trimmed back can be done usually without a ladder or other special equipment.
Fertilizer
While it's not mandatory, Mexican petunias benefit from the addition of manure, fertilizer, and compost in their growing areas. In the springtime, you can use a garden rake to mix in a fertilizer of choice into the top 2 inches of the soil surrounding the plants.

Disease diagnosis

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Sunlight
Mexican petunia bushes take full sun—the more direct sun they receive, the more flowers will bloom. They can withstand shade and partial shade but will be less productive if planted in these areas.The color of the stems will vary depending on the light conditions—the more light the plant receives, the more purple you will find on their stems. In shadier areas, the stems will present as a solid green.
Soil
While Mexican petunias will grow in a variety of soil types, they prefer to be planted in well-drained, fertile soil. They grow and spread extra quickly in marshy soil, or next to rivers and lakes. When it comes to soil pH, these plants will survive in alkaline beds, but they most prefer neutral to slightly acidic environments.
Temperature
Mexican petunias are a favorite plant in the desert, but they also grow well in humid climates. They do not survive in the cold, yet they can still be enjoyed as summer annuals in areas that experience low temperatures in the winter.

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Container
Mexican petunias can be grown in pots. As long as they're placed in a sunny spot, they grow well in indoor pots and outdoor planters alike. As a fast-growing shrub, they may need to be repotted more frequently than other plants.In addition to pots, you can also experiment with more creative vessels like ladder planters, wagons, or even an old bathtub. Since they grow to be a shrub, medium to larger-sized containers work best.
Popularity
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