Vinca

( VIN - kuh )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of flowering perennial plants includes species that are commonly called Periwinkle or Flower of Death and need full sun in cooler climates, partial shade otherwise. These plants have little to moderate water requirements to perform well. They have a trailing, arching habit and stems root where they touch moist ground. Foliage is dark green and flowers are commonly lavender-blue to white and five-petaled, blooming at leaf joints in early springtime. Vinca is a popular groundcover choice, and also does well in mixed beds and borders, as container plants, or simply as specimens in the landscape. Take care when planting these flowers in the garden, as plant parts are toxic to humans and pets if ingested.

Vinca Species and Varietals

The genus Vinca is a member of the plant family Apocynaceae and includes seven species. The genus name is derived from the Latin word vinicire, which means "to bind, fetter". Species in the genus Catharanthus are closely related to those in Vinca. The best growing zones for Periwinkle vary depending on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Vinca difformis (Intermediate Periwinkle)
These evergreen flowering subshrubs are native to western areas of Europe, and produces white to blue flowers that bloom between late winter and early springtime. These plants typically form mats of foliage 20 inches across. Cultivar 'Jenny Pym' has pink and white flowers.

Vinca herbacea (Herbaceous Periwinkle)
This species is native to eastern and southeastern Europe, where it grows mainly in steppe habitats. These plants grow as trailing vines, spreading along the soil surface and rooting along stems, forming colonies over time. They typically reach 8 inches tall when mature. Flowers can be blue-violet or occasionally white.

Vinca major (Bigleaf Periwinkle, Large Periwinkle, Greater Periwinkle, Blue Periwinkle)
This species is best in zones 5-24 and produces large, aggressive plants. Plants reach 2 feet across and can mound 1-2 feet tall. It will spread rapidly and can be very invasive if not kept in check. Selection 'Variegata' (pictured) has leaves that are margined in white.

​Vinca minor (Dwarf Periwinkle, Lesser Periwinkle, Common Periwinkle, Creeping Myrtle)
This species grows well in zones 1-24 and reaches 4-6 inches tall and just an inch wide. The species is less invasive than Vinca major; making it a great choice for growing in the garden. Varieties with white flowers and variegated foliage are available.

Caring for Vinca

Vinca can be grown from seed or purchased as a specimen from a reputable nursery. Plant larger species about 2-2.5 feet apart, and dwarf selections just 1.5 feet apart for best coverage and performance. These plants can grow well in full sun and partial shade, although they prefer more shady conditions. In warmer climates, make sure these plants get some late afternoon (2-4 PM) shade when temperatures are at their peak. Vinca will grow in almost any type of soil and will compete successfully for water and nutrients with surface tree roots. Ensure that soil is well-draining, moderately fertile, and has a pH of between 6.0 and 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, they appreciate consistent waterings, especially if grown in pots. Established clumps are relatively drought-tolerant, but will perform best with regular irrigation.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. These plants are not heavy feeders, and this should be sufficient to provide the necessary nutrients for the active growing and flowering seasons. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season, and remove spent flower spikes to neaten up the appearance of plants and encourage reblooms. When plants are layered with old stems, they can be sheared or mown before new growth starts to pop in springtime. 

Propagation

Vinca, or Periwinkle, can be propagated by division, cutting or seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the division or cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant, especially if you are propagating a hybrid cultivar. To propagate your Vinca, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Vinca by Seed
  1. Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand. You will also, after a few weeks, need individual 3-inch pots for each seedling that grows.
  2. Harvest your seeds. The seed heads on plants are pretty easy to spot, they're left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will continue to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
  3. Get your container prepared. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 2-6 weeks from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
  4. Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.

Propagating Vinca by Cutting
  1. Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand.
  2. In early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 3-4 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
  3. Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
  4. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new plant.

Propagating Vinca by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil (any kind will do, though it does need to be well-draining), compost and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in very early spring (after the plant has entered dormancy, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:
  1. Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the root(s). Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
  2. Start to tease apart the roots with your fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick root section attached.
  3. Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your divisions and water thoroughly.
  4. Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout in the next growing season.

Problems and Pests

Vinca ​plants can be susceptible to developing issues with the following pests and diseases in the landscape:
  • Aphids
  • Leaf Spot
  • Spider Mites
  • Stem Blight
  • Root Rot
For more information on these pests and diseases, including how to treat and prevent them, consult the following pages:
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Gallery

Vinca is a very popular (but hard to remove) groundcover.
These plants prefer a partially shaded location in the landscape.
Flowers are typically blue-purple, but also can come in wine-red, white, and pink hues.
Variegated Vinca has foliage that really pops.
Vinca has a trailing habit, making it perfect for raised planters and containers.
A Vinca seedling.

Videos

How to care for Vinca in the landscape.
Learn about Vinca's invasive nature from a Master Gardener.

Resources

Periwinkle: Plant Care and Growing Guide
Wikipedia: Vinca
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 650, Vinca (Periwinkle)