Katie White Dwarf Mexican Petunia (Ruellia simplex 'Katie')

 Also known as Katie Dwarf Ruellia, Ruellia Katie, White Katie Ruellia, Katie's Dwarf Petunia, Katie's Dwarf Mexican Petunia, Katie's White Desert Petunia, Katie's Mexican Petunia, Katie's White Mexican Petunia, White Katie Mexican Petunia, Nolan's dwarf, Texas Petunia, Dwarf Wild Petunia, Dwarf Mexican Petunia 'Blanca'. Binomial synonyms: Ruellia brittoniana 'Katie', Ruellia brittoniana 'Katie's White', Ruellia brittoniana 'Katie's Dwarf' , Ruellia brittoniana 'White Katie', Ruellia tweediana 'Katie White', Ruellia caerulea 'Katie's White', Ruellia malacosperma

Plant Type: compact low mounding spreading rhizomatous deciduous heat-tolerant flowering perennial (Evergreen in zones 9 and 10.)

Plant Family: Acanthus family (Acanthaceae)

Visual Identification: dark green foliage, long and thin in length, coming out in all directions from the base like a grass. Produces pure white trumpet shaped flowers.

Native Region(s): Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America

Landscape Use: It spreads to make a good groundcover. Also good for borders, erosion control, as a low "filler" or "spiller" in containers, and even as an indoor plant. Attracts butterflies, birds, and bees. Deer, rabbit, and pest resistant. It is a less aggressive version of Ruellia simplex — the regular-sized variety has been declared a Category 1 invasive species in Florida.

Height: 6-10 inches

Spread: 12-18 inches

Spacing: 2 feet

Hardiness Zones: 8-11 (zone 7 if protected in winter)

Hardy Down To: Will die back to the ground in zones 8b and lower. Evergreen in zones 9 and 10.

Light: shade-tolerant, but best grown in sunny areas.

Water: low to medium water needs; drought-resistant once established. They will grow poorly if the soil is not well-draining. There is no need to wait for the soil to fully dry out between waterings; it is fungus resistant.

Soil: average to moist, well-draining soil, with a pH of acidic to mildly alkaline.

Maintenance: Requires no dead-heading. Trim if getting leggy.

Fertilize: Fertilize in spring and summer with a slow-release fertilizer.

Seasons of Interest: blooms from spring to frost. Evergreen in zones 9 and 10, and may bloom year-round. In the colder temperatures of winter, leaves may take on a reddish look.

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