Ruellia elegans is a species of flowering plant in the family Acanthaceae. It is a subshrub native to eastern and southern Brazil, where it grows in the Cerrado ecoregion.

It is used as an ornamental plant, and it is pollinated by hummingbirds. Large scarlet-red blooms on & off from spring until first frost. Can take full sun with adequate moisture like in a tropical location but best in shade.

The plant forms a 12 inch by 24 inch in diameter mound of soft green foliage. It is usually described as an annual but because it reseeds it is thought of as a perennial.