PlantFiles: Short Leaf Wild Petunia, Tropical Wild Petunia, Tropical Monkey Plant
Ruellia brevifolia

i have not grown this plant. Another common name for Ruellia brevifolia is red spray ruellia. It is native to South America. After being introduced, it has become naturalized in Hawaii.

My original plant came as a "weed" growing with an orchid and other plants from Kaui twenty years ago. The others died but I kept watering the tropical monkey plant determined to save at least one plant from Hawaii.

Flowers are paper-like in appearance and with a texture similar to a Bougainvillea only smaller and goldfish shaped.

If the air is too dry, the plant can get spider mites so it needs high humidity. (Mist the leaves once in a while.) The plant also needs good air circulation so it doesn't get mildew and stem rot. (Warm, damp, still air is not good for it.) South windows will help the plant bloom.

Water about twice a week when the plant is bigger. Be sure the pot
has good drainage in the base of the pot. If you notice the soil is really dry and the leaves are droopy, then water.

Keep warm year round. It will not survive outdoors when the temperature dips into the 50's at night in the fall and do not
set outside in the spring until the night time temps are above 50. I don't think I would just stick it outside in the soil if you want to
keep it over winter in colder climates because the roots tend to fan out but seem more fragile than plants you normally put outside.

When the plant starts to go to seed, collect the little black seeds after the green pods open. Put the seeds on the top of the soil in a planter and wait several months for them to germinate. I recommend putting them in a planter with another plant because that way they get the water they need.