A plant like ruella (Ruellia) is also called Dipterakantus and it is directly related to the acanthus family. In the wild, it is most commonly found in tropical America, but it also grows in Asia and Africa.
There are over 200 plant species, most of which are herbaceous, but there are also dwarf shrubs and shrubs. Only a few species are grown indoors.
It is quite simple to grow such a flower, since it is undemanding to care for. Ruella is also a fast growing plant and can be easily propagated by cuttings.
Very spectacular velvety leaves are elongated. The foliage of some species is colored green, others are dark green with light thin veins, and it can also be patterned. Drooping shoots are able to root in the place of contact with the soil.
The tubular flowers of this plant are colored lilac or pink-red. They are very similar to the flowers of some plants belonging to the Gesneriaceae family, but these flowers are not related. Flowers are located in the leaf axils of the upper part of the shoots. Blooming flowers do not last long on the plant. So, they bloom in the morning hours, and after lunch they fall already. The next day, new flowers appear. Flowering is quite long (from August to December) and is in direct proportion to lighting (with good lighting, flowering is more abundant).
This flower is not often found in a flower shop. Most likely, this is because it grows rather quickly. And its flowers fall soon enough after blooming. Therefore, ruella is not attractive for sale.
It is grown as a pot ampelous plant. It is also used as a ground cover plant for a winter garden.
Caring for ruella at home
Lighting and location selection
Recommended for placement in well-lit areas. If there is little light, then this will lead to a significant elongation of the stems, as well as to a lack of flowering. Due to drafts, the plant can shed the lower leaves.
Temperature regime
Heat-loving plant. In the warm season, it prefers a temperature of 20-25 degrees, and in winter it grows best at 16-18 degrees. The soil should not be allowed to be cold. For this reason, the ruelle must not be placed on a cold windowsill.
Humidity
It is best if the humidity of the air is high, but even at normal room temperature, the flower grows and develops quite well. In winter, in a heated room, as a rule, there is very low humidity and because of this, the leaves of the plant can dry out and curl.
How to water
Watering is moderate all year round. Make sure that the earth ball does not completely dry out. If in winter the air temperature is lower than usual, then watering should be reduced.
Top dressing
The plant is fertilized in summer and autumn when the plant is in bloom. To do this, use mineral fertilizer and apply it to the soil 1 time in 2 weeks.
Earth mix
A suitable soil mixture consists of humus, leaf and turf soil, as well as sand and peat. But in general, this plant grows quite well and develops in a purchased universal soil mixture.
Transfer
Transplant is extremely rare. They only plant rooted cuttings in permanent pots. Since the ruelia grows quickly enough, it is necessary to systematically cut off cuttings from it and plant them for rooting in cups (several pieces in one). Blooms only in a cramped pot.
How to propagate
Propagated by cuttings. They take root, as a rule, in water at a temperature of 20-25 degrees. The planted stalk must be pinched so that the plant is more branched. For planting cuttings, a low, but wide enough pot is used (several cuttings are planted in 1 pot).
Diseases and pests
Virtually not susceptible to disease. Can settle whitefly or aphids.
Types of ruella
Ruellia portellae
This herb is a perennial plant with lodging stems. Its nodes take root easily when in contact with the soil. The dark green leaves are oblong. Their seamy side is colored reddish. The leaves have snow-white stripes running along the veins. Large flowers are colored deep pink. Flowering lasts quite a long time and usually begins at the end of the summer period.
Ruellia Devosiana
It is also a herbaceous perennial plant. It has a highly branching stem. It grows in height up to 35-40 centimeters. It has single flowers, which can be painted white or lilac, and purple stripes flaunt in the middle of each lobe. Abundant flowering, observed in the autumn-winter period.
Puellia large-flowered (Ruellia macrantha)
It has an erect, high, branched stem. Its bell-shaped purple-pink flowers are quite large, so they reach 10 centimeters in length and 8 centimeters in width. They are located on the top of the stems. Flowering is observed in the autumn-winter period, provided there is sufficient lighting.
Ruellia Britton (Ruellia brittoniana)
An evergreen plant, in nature reaching a height and width of 90 cm.This species has strong semi-lignified vertical stems with lanceolate opposite dark green leaves 15 to 30 cm long and up to 2 cm wide.In the sun, the leaves acquire a bluish metallic hue, due to which the plant often called "ruella blue". The flowers of this species are tubular, widened, purple-blue, up to 5 cm in diameter.
