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Ruellia, Desert Petunia, Florida Bluebells, Mexican Petunia, Mexican Blue Bells 'Chi Chi'

Ruelliasimplex

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Family
Acanthaceae (ah-kanth-AY-see-ee)
Info
Genus
Ruellia (roo-EL-ee-uh)
Info
Species
simplex (SIM-plecks)
Info
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Foliage
Herbaceous
Smooth
Height
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
Spacing
12-15 in. (30-38 cm)
15-18 in. (38-45 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
Danger
N/A
Bloom Color
Pale Pink
Bloom Time
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Blooms repeatedly
Other Details
Category
Tropicals and Tender Perennials
Water Requirements
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Foliage Color

Unknown - Tell us

Where to Grow

Unknown - Tell us

Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size

Unknown - Tell us

Other details
May be a noxious weed or invasive
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing the rootball
From herbaceous stem cuttings
Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season
Seed Collecting
N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Edgemont, Arkansas

Concord, California

Brooksville, Florida

Lake City, Florida

Saint Augustine, Florida

Tampa, Florida

Cordele, Georgia

Rincon, Georgia

Savannah, Georgia

Barbourville, Kentucky

Shreveport, Louisiana

West Monroe, Louisiana

Andrews, North Carolina

Sumter, South Carolina

Toone, Tennessee

Garland, Texas

Houston, Texas

Mc Kinney, Texas

Princeton, Texas

San Antonio, Texas

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coriaceous
ROSLINDALE, MA | March 2016 | negative

This species both self-sows weedily and also spreads underground aggressively by rhizomes.

The Florida Exotic Pest Plant C...Read More

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