Mexican petunia clumps with purple, pink and white trumpet flowers and narrow dark leaves

Ruellia Brit Mixed

Ruellia simplex (syn. Ruellia brittoniana)
Categories:
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Light
Water
Moderate water for best flowering. Water deeply, then let the upper soil dry slightly; established plants tolerate short dry periods but need regular summer irrigation in Phoenix.
Toxicity
Description
A heat-tolerant perennial commonly called Mexican petunia, with narrow leaves and abundant trumpet-shaped flowers. Ruellia brittoniana is a synonym of Ruellia simplex; mixed selections may include purple, pink, and white blooms.
Bloom Time
Deciduous / Evergreen
Growth Rate
Growth Habit
Foliage Color
Not established — verify
Care Instructions

Light: Full sun to partial shade; afternoon shade helps reduce stress in Phoenix’s intense summer heat.

Water: Moderate water for best flowering. Water deeply, then let the upper soil dry slightly; established plants tolerate short dry periods but need regular summer irrigation in Phoenix.

Soil: Adaptable to sandy, loamy, or clay soils, including alkaline soil; well-drained soil with some organic matter supports best growth.

Mature size: Typically 3–4 feet tall and 2–3 feet wide initially; spreads wider by underground stems. Dwarf selections remain smaller.

Bloom: Spring through fall, with possible flowering into winter during mild weather; each flower lasts about one day.

Evergreen / deciduous: Evergreen to semi-evergreen in sheltered Phoenix locations; frost may kill foliage and stems, with regrowth from roots in spring.

Growth rate: Fast.