Ruellia Species, Desert Petunia, Florida Bluebells, Mexican Blue Bells, Mexican Petunia
Ruelliasimplex

Synonym:Ruellia brittoniana

Synonym:Ruellia spectabilis

Synonym:Ruellia tweediana

Category
Tropicals and Tender Perennials

Water Requirements
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping

Sun Exposure
Full Sun

Foliage
Herbaceous

Foliage Color
Blue-Green

Height
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)

Spacing
15-18 in. (38-45 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)

Where to Grow
Grow outdoors year-round in hardiness zone

Danger
N/A

Bloom Color
Pink
Medium Purple

Bloom Characteristics

Bloom Size

Bloom Time
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Blooms repeatedly

Other details
May be a noxious weed or invasive

Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)

Patent Information
Non-patented

Propagation Methods
By dividing the rootball
From herbaceous stem cuttings
From seed; direct sow after last frost
Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season

Seed Collecting
Bag seedheads to capture ripening seed
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored