How to Repot a Ruellia Tree

The ruellia tree is actually called Mexican petunia or bluebell and is grown in a small treelike form. It grows up to 3 feet tall with a 2-foot-wide spread. Ruellia is only hardy between U.S. Department of Agricultural zones 8b to 11, although it will regrow after a frost. Petunialike flowers bloom on the ruellia all season long in pink, purple, red and blue varieties. If your potted ruellia tree outgrows its container, repotting it will keep it healthy.

Things You'll Need

• Potting soil
• Pruners

Instructions

1. Hold the ruellia tree by its trunk and tilt the pot to the side to loosen the soil. Once loose, pull the tree from the pot. Hold the tree by the trunk and place once hand under the root-ball.

2. Examine the root-ball for any brown or red roots. Remove the roots with the pruners. Cut the roots back 2 to 3 inches beyond the healthy roots. Loosen any bound roots with your hands.

3. Fill the new pot half full with potting soil. Dig a hold deep enough to accommodate the ruellia's root-ball in the soil.

4. Place the ruellia into the new pot. Fill the pot full of potting soil and pat it down. Water the plant until water drips out of the bottom of the pot.

References

• University of Florida; Ruellia Brittoniana Mexican Bluebell; Edward F. Gilman; October 1999
• University of Illinois; Repotting Houseplants; Sandra Mason; March 2001

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish