A few weeks ago I wrote about the importance of using native plants in a Florida-Friendly yard. The flipside of that advice is, of course, avoiding non-native invasive species whenever possible.
A common invasive plant here in Tampa (and throughout Florida) is the Mexican Petunia (Ruellia tweediana, Ruellia brittoniana). You’ll find this tall dark green plant with striking purple flowers all over the place. Gardeners love it because it’s drought-resistant and easy to grow. However, it doesn’t take long before “easy to grow” becomes “impossible to stop”. Mexican Petunia spreads and reseeds itself vociferously, and once established can be almost impossible to remove.
So what’s a Florida-Friendly gardener to do? The Florida Native Plant Society recommends taking steps to remove it from your yard, and I tend to agree. They also recommend replacing it with the native Wild Petunia (Ruellia caroliniensis). The only problem with this suggestion is that it’s very difficult to find this native plant, even at local nurseries.
Fortunately, there is another alternative. A sterile cultivar of the Mexican Petuna, often called “Purple Showers”, has been developed. Research done by the University of Florida verified that this cultivar does not produce seeds, and so will not spread beyond your own yard. Be aware, though, that the plant itself still spreads pretty vigorously, and may need pruning a few times a year. I’ve used this sterile cultivar with success in my own yard, and can testify that while the plants thrive, they don’t seed or multiply.
If you already have Mexican Petunia in your yard, check to see if it develops seed pods. If it does, begin taking steps to remove it before it takes over your entire neighborhood. If you must plant Mexican Petunia, actively seek out the sterile “Purple Showers” variety. Better yet, choose a native plant and help keep Florida’s ecosystem healthy.
Ginny B
8 months ago
As I am reading this, I am thinking about how awful this past week of gardening has been due to my outta control Mexican Petunia! I wish I knew how to permanently kill it off! That stuff is a bugger.
voxy
8 months ago
I nabbed this plant from a hillsborough county school. my neighbot steal it. it’s beautiful. It’s easy to trim and blooms constantly. You have an ugly spot stick some there … it hasn’t taken over our property at all, I love it. It’s all over south tampa from my neighbos stealing it. LOL I mean borrowing it. You just sanp it off and go. Yes they are planting it on purpose. Sorry for your bad experience. Wretched. I love ours
Jill
8 months ago
Voxy – If your plant hasn’t taken over your yard, it’s probably the sterile cultivar. Just a reminder – just because a plant grows well doesn’t mean it’s good for the environment. Mexican Petunia, unless you use the sterile cultivar, can take over and choke out the native plants needed by native wildlife. However, used responsibly, the sterile Mexican Petunia does indeed make a pretty addition to the Florida garden!
Lepcurious
8 months ago
We have a great bunch of Wild petunia that has finally begun to spread in the gardens at MOSI. Still fighting the good fight against the Mexican Petunia though…
Joe
7 months ago
Jill, thank you for your article. I am in the process of making my entire yard all native Floridian plants. This means removing our very invasive Mexican Petunias. In your article, you reference a few times “taking steps to remove it (this plant) from your yard”. What would be the correct way of doing this? We had 2 beds of these monsters and I’ve spent almost 14 hours digging only one bed out by hand. Am I to spend another 14 hours on the other bed or is there a more efficient way?
Jill
7 months ago
Joe – Based on everything I’ve read, the only way to fight Mexican Petunia is the hard way, as you’ve already discovered. I wish you the best of luck – and congratulations on making the switch to Florida natives!
Sticks of Fire: a Tampa blog » Blog Archive » paving the way for florida-friendly landscaping
7 months ago
[...] including taking steps to reduce the size of your lawn, focusing on native plants, and removing invasives. Readers have pointed out that HOAs across the Tampa area make it difficult be Florida-Friendly due [...]