How to Grow Ruellia Dwarf Mexican Petunia
Ruellia brittoniana or dwarf Mexican petunia is a low growing flowering plant that will grow in most of Southern United States. It is found in pink, white and purple, and is heat and drought tolerant.
If you live in a warm climate and want an easy plant to keep going in the ground, it is a beautiful little bloomer. If you live in a colder climate, this plant grows well in container gardens.
- Difficulty:
- Easy
Instructions
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Mix Ruellia with other flowers
Be sure you get the DWARF ruellia, since the tall form tends to take over an area. The dwarf one is called Britton's Mexican Petunia or Ruellia Brittoniana. This is a perennial flowering plant in our area, and we are in Zone 8.
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Locate this flowering plant in a warm sunny spot. We plant them near the street, and they do well with little water and occasional fertilizer, even in 100 degree heat. Bees and butterflies are attracted to the flowers.
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3
In January or after a freeze, cut these close to the ground, since the leaves turn brown. They will come out with deep green leaves in early spring, and bloom all summer.
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4
Divide any of the dwarf Mexican petunia plants that are too close to each other, and move them to another location, or they will get so they do not bloom. We usually do this in the early spring when they are first leafing out. The roots are sturdy and can tolerate the move well, but they are often joined from plant to plant with a side root.
Moving these plants to a container garden is also an option. we grow some at the base of a tall plant in a flower pot, and it makes an attractive grouping.
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Tips & Warnings
copyright 2009 Linda Richard
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