Mexican Petunia

Ruellia simplex

Mexican Petunia (Ruellia simplex) is a fast-growing shrub, hardy in USDA zones 8-10, that matures to about 3-4 ft × 2-3 ft. It does best in full sun and part shade with high water needs in well-drained, moist and occasionally-wet soil. Expect purple blooms in fall and summer. It attracts butterflies and hummingbirds, stands up well to deer, drought and heat, grows happily in containers.

USDA zones

8-10

Sun

Full sun, Part shade

Water

High

Mature size

3-4 ft × 2-3 ft

Spacing

3 feet-6 feet

Growth rate

Fast

Maintenance

Medium

Soil

Well-drained, Moist, Occasionally-wet

Foliage

Green, Purple

Bloom color

Purple

Bloom season

Fall, Summer

Attracts

Butterflies, Hummingbirds

Tough against

Deer, Drought, Heat, Humidity, Wet soil

Watch out for

Weedy

Native to

Caribbean, Central and South America, Mexico