Also known as Wild Petunia · 255 saves
Ruellia
Ruellia, the genus most gardeners know as wild petunia. We track 11 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.
The 11 most-saved Ruellia varieties
3 species of Ruellia
Each one is a parent of the varieties above.
Track your Ruellia in Sow
Save the Ruellia you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.
How to grow Ruellia
Whats common across all Ruellia varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 11 most-grown of them.
The Ruellia year
- DivideApril and October82% of varieties
Divide large, crowded clumps every 3-4 years to maintain vigor.
- PruneMarch64% of varieties
Cut back dead or frost-damaged stems to the ground to encourage fresh spring growth.
- DeadheadJuly–October55% of varieties
Remove spent seed pods to tidy the plant and encourage more blooms.
- FertilizeMay and July55% of varieties
Apply a light, balanced fertilizer in early spring; often not required.
- PlantApril and May45% of varieties
Plant container or bare root plants after the danger of hard frost has passed.
- Spring CleanupMarch45% of varieties
Cut back old stems and dead foliage to the ground in late winter.
Do
- Apply a balanced fertilizer in spring
- Water regularly during dry spells 🌱
- Prune to shape after flowering
- Water consistently during dry spells 🌱
- Water deeply during dry spells 🌱
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering in winter ❌
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Overwater to prevent root rot ❌
- Don’t fertilize with high nitrogen in late fall
What goes wrong with Ruellia
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky honeydew and distorted leaves | Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Spider mites | Stippled, discolored leaves and fine webbing on the foliage. | Hose down the plant with strong water jets or apply insecticidal soap. |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing and speckled leaves | Increase humidity and spray with insecticidal soap |
| Root rot | Wilting, yellowing leaves and stem decay under poorly drained, anaerobic conditions. | Improve soil drainage and avoid over-watering in non-aquatic settings. |
| Powdery mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide |
| Root Rot | Wilting and blackened roots | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
Making more Ruellia
Cuttings
- Take 4-inch softwood cuttings in early summer
- Remove lower leaves and dip in rooting hormone
- Plant in moist well-drained soil
- Keep soil moist for 6 weeks until roots develop
Seeds
- Tuck seeds into moist soil surface in spring
- Keep soil consistently moist
- Germination occurs in 2-3 weeks
Ruellia questions
How many types of Ruellia are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 11 distinct Ruellia varieties. The most popular — ranked by 255 real gardeners — are shown first above.
What zones does Ruellia grow in?
Across its varieties, Ruellia covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Ruellia bloom?
Most Ruellia varieties bloom in summer, fall, mid-summer, summer to fall. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Ruellia should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.