Garden Planner Growing Information for Vinca (Annual)

Vinca (Annual)

Crop Rotation Group

Miscellaneous

Vinca (Annual), also known as Madagascar Periwinkle

Soil

Fertile, well-drained soil.

Position

Full sun.

Frost tolerant

None. Annual vinca grows best in warm weather.

Feeding

Mix a standard application of a balanced organic fertilizer into the soil prior to planting. In midsummer, drench plants with a liquid plant food to stimulate new growth.

Companions

These heat-tolerant bloomers make good bed partners for taller marigolds and zinnias. They also grow nicely in pots.

Spacing

Single Plants: 11" (30cm) each way (minimum)
Rows: 11" (30cm) with 11" (30cm) row gap (minimum)

Sow and Plant

Sow seeds indoors in late spring and set plants out after the last frost has passed. Seedlings are widely available as bedding plants in late spring.
Our Garden Planning Tool can produce a personalized calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.

Notes

Vinca sheds its flowers cleanly, so it rarely needs trimming. Do not plant vinca in the same soil repeatedly, because this can lead to problems with root rot diseases. Colors include white, red, pink, lavender and a few bicolors.

Harvesting

These low-maintenance flowers require little care.

Troubleshooting

A root rot that causes mature vinca plants to collapse and die suddenly has become common in warm climates in the US.