Ruellia strepens aka Limestone Wild Petunia

Ruellia strepens, also known as limestone wild petunia, limestone ruellia, smooth wild petunia, or simply wild petunia, is a flowering plant from the Acanthaceae family. It is native to central and eastern United States and can be found in rich open woods, thickets, and borders of streams and ponds throughout the state of Missouri. This perennial herb prefers to grow in moist to mesic, partly shady areas such as streamsides and bottomland forests. It features pale lilac to lavender petunia-like flowers with five flaring lobes, which can grow up to 2 inches long. Wild petunia is hardy to USDA zone 5 and can tolerate nearly full shade. It is also a rare houseplant that is easy to grow and needs regular watering to thrive. For optimal growth, it requires long-lasting, direct light and well-draining soil supplemented with organic fertilizer throughout the peak growing season. Wild petunia belongs to the Ruellia genus and is native to New Jersey to Texas and Florida.