Mexican Petunia in SW Florida: Know the Invasive Risk Before You Plant
Mexican petunia is a tough perennial with purple, petunia-like flowers that blooms most of the year in Southwest Florida heat. It is also a listed invasive in Florida, so UF/IFAS advises against planting the common type. We plant it only in contained beds, and we can steer you to sterile selections or the native Carolina wild petunia instead.
- Light:
- Full sun to part shade
- Water:
- Low once established; also grows in wet soil, which helps it escape into ponds and canals
- Salt:
- Moderate
Mexican Petunia (Ruellia) sizes we deliver and plant
Every size below is planted by our crew, set at the right depth and watered in. Send the size and how many, and we text back a planted price, usually within the hour during the day.
| Variety or form | Sizes | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Mexican Petunia | 3 Gallon | The familiar purple-flowered Mexican petunia, best kept to a contained bed away from water and natural areas. |
| Ruellia | 3 Gallon | Sold under its genus name, so confirm the exact type and whether it is a seed-sterile selection when you text us. |
Mexican Petunia (Ruellia) in SW Florida, at a glance
- Mature size here
- 2 to 3 ft tall; dwarf forms stay 6 to 12 in; spreads by roots into a patch
- Light
- Full sun to part shade
- Water
- Low once established; also grows in wet soil, which helps it escape into ponds and canals
- Salt tolerance
- Moderate
- Cold tolerance
- Frost burns the tops; it regrows from the roots in spring
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Spacing
- 18 to 24 in on center in a contained bed
- Florida native
- No, native to Mexico; Carolina wild petunia (Ruellia caroliniensis) is the Florida native
- Botanical name
- Ruellia simplex (also listed as Ruellia brittoniana)
Where Mexican Petunia (Ruellia) works in a SW Florida yard
If you plant Mexican petunia, put it in a bed with a hard edge, such as a raised planter, a bed bordered by pavement or a walled corner, and keep it well back from canals, ponds, retention areas and preserves.
Dwarf forms sit at the front of a border and standard types add height behind. For a well-behaved look, consider Carolina wild petunia, blue daze or firebush in the same spot.
- Contained sunny borders
- Hard-edged planter beds
- Low-care purple color
How our crew plants it
Plant at pot depth, 18 to 24 inches apart, in a bed with a hard edge such as a curb, wall or deep root barrier. Water in well, using the extra watering allowed for new plantings in Lee and Collier.
Cut off spent flowers or cut the plants back before the seed capsules ripen, because ripe capsules pop open and throw seed several feet.
Care after planting
- Cut plants back by half after frost or in late winter to clear burned tops and keep them compact.
- Dig out any seedlings or runners that pop up outside the bed, because it spreads by roots, stem pieces and seed.
- Water only to establish it, since it handles both drought and wet feet.
- Bag trimmings and never dump them in a canal, retention pond or natural area.
What to watch for
- FLEPPC lists Mexican petunia (Ruellia simplex) as a Category I invasive, and UF/IFAS calls it highly invasive in Florida, because it spreads by roots, stem pieces and exploding seed capsules into canals, ponds and natural areas.
- We plant it only in contained beds, and we suggest sterile selections such as Purple Showers or the native Carolina wild petunia (Ruellia caroliniensis) when your lot touches a canal, pond or preserve.
- Dwarf forms are not automatically seed-sterile, so ask which type you are getting.
Mexican Petunia (Ruellia) questions we hear
Is Mexican petunia invasive in Florida?+
Yes. FLEPPC lists it as Category I, and UF/IFAS calls it highly invasive. It spreads by roots, broken stems and seed capsules that pop open and throw seed several feet, and it escapes into ditches, canals and natural areas. Seed-sterile selections are the exception.
What can I plant instead of Mexican petunia in Cape Coral?+
Carolina wild petunia (Ruellia caroliniensis) is the Florida native with similar lavender flowers. For other sun-loving color, blue daze, firebush and beach sunflower are well-behaved options. Sterile selections of Mexican petunia, such as Purple Showers, are another route if you want that look.
How do I keep Mexican petunia from spreading?+
Plant it in a bed with a hard edge, away from water, and cut spent flowers before the seed capsules ripen. Pull runners and seedlings outside the bed and never dump trimmings in a canal or natural area. To remove it, dig out every root piece, because it regrows from fragments.
Updated October 2026
Get a planted price on Mexican Petunia (Ruellia)
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Only need the plant delivered, no planting? It is on our nursery's list at Palm & Plant Co.
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