Annual Vinca Plant Care

Annual Vinca (Vinca rosea) belongs to the Apocynaceae family within the Vinca genus. Annual Vinca is native to Madagascar. Annual Vinca is also known as Madagascar Periwinkle, Periwinkle, Rose Periwinkle.

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

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Annual Vinca 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.

Annual Vinca thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Vinca rosea tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Annual Vinca prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

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

Feed Annual Vinca 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.

Annual Vinca is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

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.

Annual Vinca 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 Annual Vinca 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.

Annual Vinca is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Annual Vinca can be propagated through stem cuttings, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to greater periwinkle plant care, which shares the same genus.

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Annual Vinca 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.

Annual Vinca grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Annual Vinca is native to Madagascar. In cooler regions, grow Annual Vinca as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.