Invasive Plants Mexican Petunia

Lisa Sanderson with UF/IFAS Extension in Sumter County covers Mexican Petunia, Ruellia simplex, which is an invasive species which is found throughout Florida. Learn more about this Mexican Petunia, how to eliminate it from your garden and what sterile varieties you can try.

[@angelserenade]

I love plants with purple flowers so I do like this plant. and my neighbors had this plant in their yard. My neighbor told me to keep it in a pot instead of planting it directly in your garden bed.

[@sherikok9268]

The sterile variety "Purple Showers" is very well behaved and a wonderful flowering plant. I love it.

[@apotheosisofarose1425]

I hope we see legislation soon to ban the sale of invasives in Florida. Great series thanks for taking the time

[@Inoculatemybrain]

Why? I seen bees butterfly’s , frogs, all using them as a home or collecting food… my parents planted so long ago. But the critters are loving it!!!

[@suze1712]

I have planted this in Greece, its beautiful, I have it in pink and mauve and can be cut back if growing bushy. Not problematic at all!

[@Nicaprince89]

Good information.

[@letstalkgardeningbyufifas]

Thanks

[@InfallibleBible]

These things are beautiful but are taking over my yard. They are spreading fast and taking root next to my rose bushes! Great advice, I am removing them.

[@keithkeller698]

I'm going to pull mine out but I would rather have them than round up in my yard.

[@letstalkgardeningbyufifas]

Before you pull them out, there's a sterile variety. Do you happen to know the variety you planted.
facebook.com/MarionCountyMasterGardeners/posts/mexican-petunia-sterile-or-non-steriledid-you-know-mexican-petunia-ruellia-simpl/2627870543936845/

[@cs292]

Sounds like a perfect plant?

[@letstalkgardeningbyufifas]

There are some sterile options.
facebook.com/MarionCountyMasterGardeners/posts/mexican-petunia-sterile-or-non-steriledid-you-know-mexican-petunia-ruellia-simpl/2627870543936845/

[@LostInThisGardenofLife]

I just bought myself one, I’m planting it in its own little area… I’m in zone 7 so it shouldn’t be so bad. I hope. 🤣

[@letstalkgardeningbyufifas]

Christopher, you may have to give it some cold protection where you're at, so just keep an eye on the weather at the onset of your cool season.

[@LostInThisGardenofLife]

@James Deam I have way more invasive plants on my property. 😱

[@jennifergreene8891]

I HATE this invasive mexican petunia. I am in Texas zone 9b and it has taken over both front and back yard. It is growing up in the middle of my roses, camillia, spider lilies etc. Thick and out of control. I won't use round up, surely something else besides digging it all up.😖 I am disabled.

[@daleandrews3552]

I don't know the chemical name, but I've had WONDERFUL luck with a product called Spectracide. It's made and sold by one of the main chemical companies that produce herbacides of this sort. Forget "Roundup". It takes too long to work. Using this stuff, the target plant will look almost completly dead within HOURS! It's a different chemical altogether and it's highly potent. Right off the shelf (premixed) it isn't that expensive either. I don't know why it's not more popular with gardeners. I just can't brag on it enough! Good luck. CAUTION: Don't even get a minute amount on ANYTHING you don't want dead. 🏴‍☠

[@jennifergreene8891]

@@daleandrews3552 thank you for the advice.

[@busker153]

The problem with this plant is that it is from a lot of other places? Hmmm...

[@kimberlypeters650]

Just dug all 3 off my nasty ugly ruellia plants out tonight.... Thank God I hated that things was spreading babies everywhere and covered in mold 🤮🤮🤮

[@dianajohnson9044]

Why would you suggest using glycosate? That stuff should be banned.

[@joeanderson8839]

I have Mexican petunias but I think that they are not the evasive variety.