Mexican Petunia 'Mexican Carpet' (Ruellia tweediana 'Mexican Carpet'): Low-Growing Ground Cover

'Mexican Carpet' is a dwarf cultivar of Mexican petunia (Ruellia tweediana) selected for its low, spreading habit—reaching only 6–12 inches tall but spreading 2–3 feet wide. It retains the same purple trumpet flowers and dark green foliage but forms a dense, flowering carpet ideal for borders and mass plantings.

Features

Blooms from late spring to frost. The compact growth reduces the aggressive spreading tendency of the species, though it still spreads by rhizomes. Excellent for erosion control on slopes, in rock gardens, or as a colorful edging.

Culture

Full sun to part shade; adaptable to most soils. Drought-tolerant once established. Shear back after the first flush to encourage rebloom and maintain density. Perennial in zones 8–11.

Taxonomy

• Family: Acanthaceae
• Genus: Ruellia
• Species: tweediana
• Cultivar: 'Mexican Carpet'
• Synonyms: Ruellia brittoniana, Ruellia coerulea, Ruellia ignorantiae, Ruellia microphylla, Ruellia spectabilis