Carolina wild petunia
Ruellia caroliniensis
USDA zones8 to 11
SunHandles partial sun to full shade
WaterHandles dry to moist soil
Size12 inches tall12 to 24 inches wide
- Habit
- Herb
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer, autumn, winter
- Bloom color
- Purple
- Foliage color
- Green
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay
- Soil pH
- Acid, alkaline, neutral
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Carolina wild petunia (Ruellia caroliniensis) is a perennial for pollinator gardens, woodland gardens, ground cover, and low maintenance beds. It is hardy to USDA zone 8, or down to 10°F (-12°C). This plant likes part sun to full shade and dry to moist, sandy, loamy, or clay soil. Light purple to pinkish flowers open only one or two at a time on any given day. Butterflies, bees, and birds visit the blooms.
Pairs well with Butterfly milkweed, Lanceleaf coreopsis, and Stokes’ aster.
Native range
AL, AR, DC, DE, and 18 more places. See all 22
AL, AR, DC, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MD, MS, NC, NJ, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, and WV.