Ruellia Species, Browne's Blechum, Green Shrimp Plant, Penguin Balsam, Rock Balsam, Wild Hops

Ruelliablechum

Family
Acanthaceae (ah-kanth-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Ruellia (roo-EL-ee-uh)
Species
blechum (BLEK-um)
Synonym
Blechum blechum
Blechum brownei
Ruellia bracteata
Ruellia gairae
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage
Deciduous
Herbaceous
Smooth
Height
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
24-36 in. (60-90 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)
Danger
Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction
Pollen may cause allergic reaction
Bloom Color
Pale Pink
Lavender
Bloom Time
Blooms all year
Blooms repeatedly
Other Details
Category
Perennials
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size
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)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season
Seed Collecting
Regional

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

Boca Raton, Florida

Boynton Beach, Florida

Delray Beach, Florida

Fort Myers, Florida

Lutz, Florida

Melbourne Beach, Florida

Merritt Island, Florida

Miami, Florida(2 reports)

Oldsmar, Florida

Orlando, Florida

Pompano Beach, Florida

Tampa, Florida

San Antonio, Texas

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Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

3
positives
0
neutral
1
negative
Sort By:
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F
Pompano Beach, FL | March 2017 | positive

This plant shows up in my backyard as a weed. The yard is an informal jungle so I let it grow since it is a butterfly host. It doesn't gr...Read More

C
ROSLINDALE, MA | March 2016 | negative

The Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council has listed this species as a Category ll invasive.

S
Boynton Beach, FL | January 2005 | positive

Green Shrimp is a weed in moist places in my yard. It's the host plant for Malachite butterflies (which are sadly not in my yard) so I'v...Read More

4
4
Chula Vista, CA | August 2004 | positive

My shrimp plant does really well, then all of a sudden it decides it is going to argue with me. I find if I keep it in some shade it doe...Read More

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