Ruellia Species, Creeping Ruellia, Trailing Ruellia, Water Bluebell

Ruellialongepetiolata

Family
Acanthaceae (ah-kanth-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Ruellia (roo-EL-ee-uh)
Synonym
Ruellia squarrosa
Sun Exposure
Light Shade
Foliage
Deciduous
Herbaceous
Succulent
Height
under 6 in. (15 cm)
Spacing
12-15 in. (30-38 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Bloom Color
Medium Purple
Bloom Time
Mid Spring
Mid Fall
Other Details
Category
Groundcovers
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Blue-Green
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
7.9 to 8.5 (alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)
From herbaceous stem cuttings
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
From seed; direct sow after last frost
Seed Collecting
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Mesa, Arizona

Phoenix, Arizona

Scottsdale, Arizona

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Miami, Florida

Pompano Beach, Florida

Winter Springs, Florida

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

West Monroe, Louisiana

Las Vegas, Nevada

Conway, South Carolina

Fort Worth, Texas

Houston, Texas

Magnolia, Texas

New Caney, Texas(2 reports)

Portland, Texas

San Antonio, Texas(2 reports)

Weatherford, Texas

Woodway, Texas

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Gardener's Notes:

4
positives
2
neutrals
1
negative
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0
0
Las Vegas, NV (Zone 9a) | August 2014 | positive

Super-easy to grow, even in 100+ degrees.

K
Fort Lauderdale, FL | April 2008 | negative

This plant is extremely invasive in FLA and I think it should be banned here. I've had it for over five years. At first, it was nice, e...Read More

H
H
San Antonio, TX (Zone 8b) | April 2008 | neutral

I have not grown this plant. Ruellia squarrosa is also commonly known as creeping ruellia, trailing ruellia, creeping blue bell and blue ...Read More

B
San Antonio, TX | May 2005 | positive

Will grow (and bloom) in shade but individual plant clumps don't spread out much locally and can get "leggy" with time; they prefer sun. ...Read More

S
| October 2002 | positive

Very hardy in sunny, hot locations in North Texas/Southern Oklahoma. I have had these dwarfs for several years and the more I ignore the...Read More

V
Redwood City, CA | August 2002 | neutral

I filled in the data about this plant based on the label that I found in the nursery container. AS yet, I have no personal experience wit...Read More

L
| May 2002 | positive

Hardy, compact returning year after year. Can stand the high Texas heat in summer yet hardy in freezing winters.

Easy mai...Read More

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