Lesser Periwinkle Plant Care

Lesser Periwinkle (Vinca minor) belongs to the Apocynaceae family within the Vinca genus. Lesser Periwinkle is native to central and southern Europe. Lesser Periwinkle is also known as Dwarf Periwinkle, Small Periwinkle, Common Periwinkle.

Lesser Periwinkle displays a low spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Lesser Periwinkle produces small, colorful, trumpet-shaped flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Lesser Periwinkle every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Lesser Periwinkle thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Vinca minor tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Lesser Periwinkle prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining, fertile soil with added compost or organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Lesser Periwinkle to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Lesser Periwinkle every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining, fertile soil with added compost or organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Lesser Periwinkle is suited to USDA Zone 4a – 8b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Lesser Periwinkle can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Lesser Periwinkle while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Lesser Periwinkle is hardy down to USDA zone 4a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown shrubs need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Lesser Periwinkle can be propagated through stem cuttings, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to lesser periwinkle plant care, which shares the same genus.

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Lesser Periwinkle is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Lesser Periwinkle grows outdoors in USDA Zone 4a – 8b. It survives winters down to planting zone 4a. Lesser Periwinkle is native to central and southern Europe.