Pretty Little Petunia Please Go Away
Anyone that plants the Mexican petunia (Ruellia Tweediana) soon discovers that this pretty bluish-purple flowering plant can become quite a nuisance.
Also known as the Mexican bluebell, this plant is a non-native perennial. It will take over a flowerbed with a vengeance. I too was an innocent Mexican petunia lover since they are quite lovely and can take just about any kind of weather; full sun and shade, drought and rain.
Mexican petunia is listed as a Category 1 invasive pest plant by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (www.fleppc.org). It has invaded natural areas throughout the state, especially in wet areas displacing native flora. It spreads from seed, rhizomes and cuttings. Even dwarf forms are considered invasive.
I’m not the only one that was fooled by this plant; I see them everywhere I look. I am currently STILL digging them up and will have to resort to spraying them with Brush Killer an 8.8 % Triclopyr to get rid of them once and for all. Clear Pasture is a 61.6% Triclopyr and is labeled for many types of invasive shrubs and trees.
Try to be conscious of planting non-native invasive plants; you’ll be a much happier gardener and do the entire state of Florida a big favor!
