Ruellia caroliniensis — Carolina Wild Petunia | Native Tennessee Perennial, Live Plant

Carolina Wild Petunia (Ruellia caroliniensis) is a long-blooming native perennial grown from wild-type Middle Tennessee stock — a true native wildflower, not the invasive Mexican Petunia (Ruellia simplex) sometimes sold under a similar name. From early summer through fall, it produces funnel-shaped violet-purple blooms with a yellow throat; each flower lasts only a day, but the plant continuously produces new ones in succession for weeks of steady color.

This species is a larval host plant for both the Common Buckeye and White Peacock butterflies, and its nectar draws bees, wasps, and hummingbirds throughout the growing season. After pollination, the seed capsules mature and burst open explosively, flinging seed away from the parent plant — an easy self-sower that will happily fill in a native bed or border over time.

Carolina Wild Petunia stays low and manageable, making it a good fit for borders, pollinator beds, or naturalized plantings in dry, sunny to lightly shaded spots.

Growing conditions:

• Light: Full sun to part shade
• Water: Moderately dry to dry; good drought tolerance once established
• Soil: Sandy, nutrient-poor, well-drained soil
• Height: 6–18"

Size: Shipped in a 4" container ready to transplant.

Shipping: Orders ship out UPS every Monday.