Madagascar Periwinkle Plant (Vinca) – Catharanthus roseus

The Madagascar Periwinkle plant (Catharanthus roseus), widely sold as annual vinca, is one of the toughest, most colorful bloomers you can plant in a hot, sunny spot. It produces a non-stop show of glossy foliage and bright, pinwheel-shaped flowers from late spring all the way to frost — even thriving in the heat when other flowers fade. Low-maintenance, heat-loving, and drought-tolerant, the Madagascar Periwinkle plant is a go-to for easy, season-long color.

Why Grow a Madagascar Periwinkle Plant?

• Non-stop color – covered in flowers from late spring through frost, in shades of white, pink, rose, and red, often with a contrasting eye.
• Loves the heat – blooms happily through high heat and humidity that wilt many other annuals.
• Drought-tolerant & low-maintenance – once established it needs little water and little fuss; many modern types are self-cleaning and don’t require deadheading.
• Deer- & rabbit-resistant – generally left alone by deer and rabbits, and rarely bothered by pests.
• Versatile – perfect for beds, borders, mass plantings, groundcover, containers, and hanging baskets.

Looking for more easy color? Browse our Flowering Plants and Outdoor Plants collections.

Plant Specifications at a Glance

• Botanical name: Catharanthus roseus (also known as annual vinca, Madagascar periwinkle, rose periwinkle, Cape periwinkle; formerly Vinca rosea)
• Plant type: Tender evergreen perennial, usually grown as a warm-season annual in cooler zones
• Plant family: Apocynaceae (the dogbane family)
• Mature height: mounding, commonly 1–2 feet and up to about 3 feet with glossy leaves
• Bloom season: Late spring through fall, until frost
• Flowers: White, pink, rose, and red, often with a contrasting eye
• Cold Hardiness Zones: 10–11 (grown as an annual in colder regions)

Madagascar Periwinkle Care & Growing Guide

The Madagascar Periwinkle plant rewards you with maximum color for minimal effort. Follow these simple guidelines:

• Sunlight: Full sun. More direct light means more flowers and stronger, healthier growth.
• Water: Moderate. Let the soil dry slightly between waterings and avoid soggy soil — vinca dislikes wet feet and can develop root rot if overwatered. It is drought-tolerant once established.
• Soil: Well-draining soil is essential. Good drainage is the single most important factor for a healthy plant.
• Cold Hardiness Zone: 10–11. In colder zones, enjoy it as a warm-season annual.
• Pruning: Prune regularly to increase blooming and promote bushier growth. Pinching the stem tips early in the season encourages a fuller plant.

Please note: all parts of the Madagascar Periwinkle are toxic if eaten. Keep it away from young children and pets, and wash your hands after handling. (Interestingly, this same plant is the natural source of the medical compounds vincristine and vinblastine.)

Ways to Use Madagascar Periwinkle in the Landscape

This adaptable bloomer fits almost any hot, sunny design. Popular uses for the Madagascar Periwinkle plant include:

• Colorful bedding and front-of-border plantings
• Uniform edging along walkways and patios
• Mass plantings and annual groundcover to fill sunny gaps
• Containers, window boxes, and hanging baskets
• Low-water, heat-tolerant gardens

Pair it with other sun- and heat-loving plants for a long season of color. Gardeners often combine it with the Scarlet Sage, Mexican Petunia (Purple Showers), or Dune Sunflower.

What You’ll Receive

These are live Madagascar Periwinkle starter plants grown and shipped by Carlos Plant Farm. Plants are less than 12 inches tall when we ship them. The photos in this listing depict mature plants of the correct species so you can see how they will look as they grow and bloom. Choose your preferred plant bundle size using the options above.

Due to different state laws, we reserve the right to charge extra fees in order to comply with those laws if necessary.

Terms of the Sale

Please read the following terms of the sale completely. The customer agrees to all of the following when purchasing from Carlo’s Plant Farm:

• All sales are final. All orders are insured against damage or loss.
• The customer assumes all risk of loss or damage once USPS takes possession. If the order is damaged in any way during shipping, the customer agrees to file an insurance claim. Carlo’s Plant Farm agrees to assist the customer in filling out the form.
• Once your order is shipped, we offer no cancellation refund at all.
• We reserve the right to delay shipping due to extreme heat or cold.
• If you are unhappy with your order for any reason, you agree to contact us as soon as possible. The customer agrees not to publish a negative review before contacting us. Please do not place a negative review without first contacting us.

In purchasing from Carlo’s Plant Farm, the customer acknowledges, understands, and agrees with all the above terms of the sale.

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