Yerba Maravilla

Ruellia coccinea

$18.00 Sold out
1 Gallon USDA Zones 8–10 Part Shade Matures 2–3 Feet

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Roots wrapped in moist soil and padded for safe transit
Grown and shipped from our nursery in Aiken, SC
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The Full Story

Ruellia coccinea is a subshrub from Central America and tropical South America that spends the summer producing scarlet tubular flowers in such numbers, and with such reliable precision, that hummingbirds treat it as a fixed point on their territory map. The flowers are about an inch long with five spreading lobes — the exact architecture that hummingbird foraging requires — borne in clusters from the upper leaf axils and opening in succession from early summer through first frost. On a warm afternoon with the plant in full flush, the activity around it is considerable.

The plant itself is more substantial than the description "summer perennial" implies. In Zone 9 and warmer it is effectively a woody subshrub, reaching four to six feet in the right conditions and forming a rounded, open-branched mound with glossy ovate leaves that hold their lush, dark green through the season. In Zone 8 it may die back in a hard winter and return vigorously from the roots in spring — a reliable perennial by a slightly different route. It responds well to cutting back mid-season, pushing a fresh flush of growth and flowers that extends the display well into autumn.

A note worth making: R. coccinea is sometimes passed over by Southern gardeners who have learned to distrust the genus on account of R. simplex, the invasive Mexican petunia that has taken up residence in Florida ditches and wetlands. The two share a name and a family. They do not share a habit, a temperament, or a growth strategy. This one behaves.
Will this plant thrive in your zone?

Plant Profile
At a glance
Hardiness
USDA Zones 8–10
Sun
Part Shade
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile, Moist
Mature size
Height 2–3 Feet · Spread 2–3 Feet
Growth rate
Moderate
Seasonality
Semi-Evergreen
Design Notes

Site R. coccinea where the scarlet flowers are visible from a seating area or window and where hummingbird activity can be observed at close range — the plant earns its space most completely when it is actually being watched. In the part-shade border it works well at mid to back position, providing late-season bulk and color after spring-flowering companions have quieted. The scarlet flowers read well against dark-foliaged neighbors — deep green Camellia or Fatsia provides an effective backdrop — and the tropical character of the glossy leaves makes it a natural companion for other subtropical subjects in the summer border. For gardeners in Zone 8 planting for succession, pair it with Hibiscus mutabilis for simultaneous late-season scale, and allow the two to carry the border through October together.

Flower, Fruit & Foliage

Flowers
Tubular, scarlet, approximately 1 inch long with five spreading lobes. Borne in clusters from the upper leaf axils on upright stems, opening in succession from early summer through first frost. A reliable and heavily used hummingbird plant — the tubular scarlet form is precisely matched to hummingbird foraging. Also attractive to swallowtails and native bees with sufficient reach. Responds to mid-season trimming with a fresh flush of flowering growth.

Foliage
Leaves are ovate, glossy green, opposite, 3 to 4 inches long — substantial enough to provide a lush, tropical-adjacent backdrop for the flowers. Larger stems are semi-woody; younger stems soft and green. The overall habit is a rounded, open mound rather than a dense mass, with a slightly airy quality that suits the mixed border.

Care

Read our full care guide

Sun
Part shade preferred, with morning sun and afternoon protection producing the best combination of flowering and foliage quality. Tolerates more sun than most understory plants provided moisture is consistent, but afternoon shade is strongly recommended in the Deep South. Full shade reduces flowering significantly.

Soil
Moist, humus-rich, and well-drained. Performs best in organically rich soil that retains moisture without waterlogging. Amend with compost if lean or sandy. Consistent moisture through summer supports the most sustained flowering.

Watering
Regular moisture through the growing season. Not drought tolerant, particularly during establishment. Mulch heavily to retain moisture and moderate root temperature. Flowering quality drops noticeably under prolonged moisture stress.

Fertilizing
Light balanced fertilizer in early spring as growth resumes. In well-amended soils, little supplemental feeding required. Avoid excess nitrogen, which promotes foliage at the expense of flowers.

Pruning
Cut back by one third to one half in midsummer after the first flush to encourage compact regrowth and a second wave of flowers before frost. In Zone 8, cut dead stems to the ground in late winter and allow to resprout. In Zone 9 and warmer, light shaping in early spring keeps the plant from becoming leggy.

Pests and problems
Generally trouble-free. Spider mites may appear in hot, dry conditions — consistent moisture is the best preventive. No significant structural or disease issues in cultivation.

Here’s a closer look at how we produce our plants

From rooting to shipping, our top priority is ensuring you receive healthy, thriving plants for your garden’s success.

Woodlanders Growing Process

Because most of our plants are grown from rooted cuttings — alongside seed, air layering, and grafting chosen for each variety — you receive a stronger, true-to-type plant that establishes quickly in your garden.

Sustainable Growing Practices

Raised on organic soil blends and eco-friendly pest management — never harsh chemicals — your plant arrives healthy for your garden, your family, and the pollinators they feed.

Supporting Local Biodiversity

Every purchase gives back. We donate to the Aiken Arboretum and support local wildlife conservation, so growing your garden helps protect the wider ecosystem too.

At Woodlanders, we are committed to quality.
Grown in Aiken, South Carolina
At Woodlanders, we are committed to quality.

All our plant material is carefully propagated, grown, and nurtured at our humble nursery in Aiken, South Carolina.

Learn more about Woodlanders
Healthy plants, ready to thrive
Success, made simple
Healthy plants, ready to thrive

Your plant arrives carefully packed and ready to settle in. Unpack them promptly, give them a day or two to acclimate, then plant following the notes we include — that’s all it takes. Clear care guidance comes with every order, so success is the easy part.

Read the care guide
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Frequently Asked Questions
What to expect upon delivery

All our plants are sold in 1-gallon sizes, though the height of each plant can vary depending on its growth rate and seasonality, typically ranging from 1/2 to 2.5 feet.

Each plant is carefully packaged with its roots enclosed in a secure plastic bag containing moist soil, forming a compact root ball. To ensure safe transport, the box is padded with recycled newspaper, providing both stability and eco-friendly protection from weather during shipping.
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