Ruellia

About two years ago, an email acquaintance sent me seeds for a plant she called Mexican Petunia, telling me that it really grew in Texas where she lived. I have heard from people in Texas that it was invasive. I planted the seeds in Spring 2005. The seeds germinated in Spring 2006. My daughter in Utah told me to check with other California gardeners if the plant was invasive in California. The plant has grown very slowly here. I had to have it ID'd by Daves Garden folks because I forgot that I had planted it.

Does anyone in California have experience with Mexican Petunia?

Thanks,

Chuck

I don't think it's on the official list of invasives for CA, but I would definitely be careful with it, just because it's not on the list yet doesn't mean it's not invasive, just that not enough people have let it escape from cultivation yet to cause problems!

Here's a good reference site for invasives in CA:
http://www.cal-ipc.org/

Thanks, ecrane3,

I definitely will be careful with it. The Riverside County Agriculture expert I checked with said that it is not invasive in Texas: it just grows well but he said essentially the same thing that you did.

Thanks again,

Chuck

Hi Chuck,

Oh yes, it can be quite invasive around here also. I received a small plant in a trade several years ago and it grew nicely. It decided to grow all over my garden also. It throws seeds a long way, including along the side of my pond. The root system is pretty heavy duty also. It's hard to dig up. I finally decided to eliminate it from my garden all together, as I was tired of pulling it out between all my other plants.

Donna