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Ruellia californica (California ruellia)
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1 hour care
per year
per year
0.9m
Max height
Max height
0.9m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Ruellia californica
Other names
California ruellia, Desert ruellia, Purple ruellia, Wild petunia, Purple petunia, Sonoran Desert ruellia
Genus
Ruellia Ruellia
Species
R. californica - R. californica is a tender, rounded, evergreen shrub with ovate to lance-shaped, hairy, light green leaves and purple, pink, or violet flowers in spring.
Ruellia californica is: Evergreen
Habit
Rounded
Flower
Purple in Spring
Foliage
Light green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Diseases
Generally disease-free.
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 1
Propagation
Sow seed at 19-24C in spring. May self-seed aggressively in ideal growing conditions.
Propagation methods
Softwood cuttings, Seed
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Where to grow
Ruellia californica (California ruellia) will reach a height of 0.9m and a spread of 0.9m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Low Maintenance, Ground Cover, Drought Tolerant, Desert garden/Xeriscaping, Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Banks and Slopes, Mediterranean, Planted in groups, Wallside and trellises
Cultivation
In frost-free areas, grow in well-drained soil in sun. Needs no supplemental water but will bloom year-round if given moderate water. May drop leaves after prolonged dry periods or cold spells.
Soil type
Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Tender in frost (H3)
Companion plants
Botanical name
Ruellia californica
Other names
California ruellia, Desert ruellia, Purple ruellia, Wild petunia, Purple petunia, Sonoran Desert ruellia
Genus
Ruellia Ruellia
Species
R. californica - R. californica is a tender, rounded, evergreen shrub with ovate to lance-shaped, hairy, light green leaves and purple, pink, or violet flowers in spring.
Native to
Mexico
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Rounded
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Colour
Flower
Purple in Spring
Foliage
Light green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Diseases
Generally disease-free.
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 1
Propagation
Sow seed at 19-24C in spring. May self-seed aggressively in ideal growing conditions.
Propagation methods
Softwood cuttings, Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Ruellia californica (California ruellia) will reach a height of 0.9m and a spread of 0.9m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Low Maintenance, Ground Cover, Drought Tolerant, Desert garden/Xeriscaping, Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Banks and Slopes, Mediterranean, Planted in groups, Wallside and trellises
Cultivation
In frost-free areas, grow in well-drained soil in sun. Needs no supplemental water but will bloom year-round if given moderate water. May drop leaves after prolonged dry periods or cold spells.
Soil type
Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Tender in frost (H3)
USDA zones
Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Tender in frost (H3) | Tell us... |
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