Intermediate
skill rating
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Ruellia humilis (Wild petunia)
1 hour care
per year
per year
0.6m
Max height
Max height
0.6m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Ruellia humilis
Other names
Wild petunia, Fringe-leaf wild petunia, Fringeleaf wild petunia, Prairie petunia, Hairy wild petunia, Ruellia ciliosa var. longiflora, Ruellia humilis var. calvescens, Ruellia humilis var. depauperata, Ruellia humilis var. expansa, Ruellia humilis var. frondosa, Ruellia humilis var. longiflora
Genus
Ruellia Ruellia
Species
R. humilis - R. humilis is a compact, spreading, hairy, deciduous perennial with upright stems bearing oblong to lance-shaped, olive green leaves and tubular to open-bell-shaped, petunia-like, lavender to lilac flowers from early summer into autumn.
Ruellia humilis is: Deciduous
Habit
Spreading, Cushion or Mound Forming
Flower
Lavender, Lilac in Summer; Lilac, Lavender in Autumn
Foliage
Olive green in Spring; Olive green in Summer; Olive green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Diseases
Generally disease-free.
General care
Pruning
Cut back in autumn.
Propagation
Sow seed in situ in autumn or, in spring, mix seed with slightly moist seed compost. Put in a sealed bag & leave in a refrigerator for 24 hrs, then in a freezer for 24 hrs. Repeat for a week & then sow at 21C. Transplant when seedlings are 5cm tall.
Propagation methods
Stem tip cuttings, Seed, Division
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Where to grow
Ruellia humilis (Wild petunia) will reach a height of 0.6m and a spread of 0.6m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Wildflower, Prairie planting, Garden edging, Drought Tolerant, Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Banks and Slopes, Wildlife
Cultivation
Best planted in moderately fertile, well-drained, rocky soil in full sun. Easily tolerates moist, humus-rich soil and partial shade. May self-seed readily in ideal growing conditions. Drought tolerant once established but flowers best with occasional water in hot summers.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, East
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
Botanical name
Ruellia humilis
Other names
Wild petunia, Fringe-leaf wild petunia, Fringeleaf wild petunia, Prairie petunia, Hairy wild petunia, Ruellia ciliosa var. longiflora, Ruellia humilis var. calvescens, Ruellia humilis var. depauperata, Ruellia humilis var. expansa, Ruellia humilis var. frondosa, Ruellia humilis var. longiflora
Genus
Ruellia Ruellia
Species
R. humilis - R. humilis is a compact, spreading, hairy, deciduous perennial with upright stems bearing oblong to lance-shaped, olive green leaves and tubular to open-bell-shaped, petunia-like, lavender to lilac flowers from early summer into autumn.
Native to
Central United States, Eastern United States
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Spreading, Cushion or Mound Forming
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Colour
Flower
Lavender, Lilac in Summer; Lilac, Lavender in Autumn
Foliage
Olive green in Spring; Olive green in Summer; Olive green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Diseases
Generally disease-free.
General care
Pruning
Cut back in autumn.
Propagation
Sow seed in situ in autumn or, in spring, mix seed with slightly moist seed compost. Put in a sealed bag & leave in a refrigerator for 24 hrs, then in a freezer for 24 hrs. Repeat for a week & then sow at 21C. Transplant when seedlings are 5cm tall.
Propagation methods
Stem tip cuttings, Seed, Division
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Ruellia humilis (Wild petunia) will reach a height of 0.6m and a spread of 0.6m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Wildflower, Prairie planting, Garden edging, Drought Tolerant, Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Banks and Slopes, Wildlife
Cultivation
Best planted in moderately fertile, well-drained, rocky soil in full sun. Easily tolerates moist, humus-rich soil and partial shade. May self-seed readily in ideal growing conditions. Drought tolerant once established but flowers best with occasional water in hot summers.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, East
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4, Zone 3
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, East | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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