How to Grow and Care for Wild petunias

Mexican petunia (Ruellia simplex) is an evergreen herbaceous perennial recognized by its wrinkly, trumpet-shaped purple flowers. It is commonly cultivated as an ornamental plant. Due to its vigorous spreading ability, Ruellia simplex has become widely naturalized outside Mexico. It is considered an invasive species in many countries.

Monkey plant (Ruellia makoyana) is an evergreen perennial plant that will grow from 30 to 61 cm tall and 46 cm wide. It has white-veined, velvety leaves with flashy purple undersides. It blooms from summer to fall with pink, trumpet-shaped flowers. Makes a beautiful ground cover for shaded areas. Drought-tolerant but not frost-tolerant.

Tropical wild petunia is often grown as a houseplant. In its native habitat, this plant grows under the canopy of tall trees, making it well adapted to indoor, low-light conditions. The small, delicate flowers are pretty and bloom often.

Carolina wild petunia (Ruellia caroliniensis) is a wild flowering petunia species native to the southeastern United States like South Carolina, Florida, Alabama, and Louisiana. It is planted ornamentally for its attractive flowers.

Native to eastern and central United States the wild petunia (Ruellia humilis) is more and more popular among local gardens as a native flowering plant. Its leaves and stem are hairy. Tubular petunia-like flows appear singly or in clusters during its spring to fall bloom period.