Hey there fellow garden enthusiasts! I’ve noticed lots of confusion when it comes to vinca and periwinkle plants. As someone who’s spent years getting my hands dirty in the garden I’m here to break down the key differences between these two beautiful plants in simple terms.
Quick Overview
Let me start by clearing up something that trips up many gardeners: While these plants are related (they’re both from the Apocynaceae family), they’re actually different! Here’s the simple breakdown:
- Vinca: There are 7 species, including Vinca major and Vinca minor
- Periwinkle: Refers to Catharanthus roseus (also called Madagascar periwinkle)
Main Differences at a Glance
Growth Habits
-
Vinca:
- Creeping/trailing plant
- Perfect as ground cover
- Grows 6-18 inches tall
- Spreads like crazy (sometimes too much!)
-
Periwinkle:
- Stands upright
- Grows 10-16 inches tall
- More well-behaved growth pattern
- Great for borders and containers
Leaves and Flowers
-
Vinca:
- Glossy oval leaves (1-3 inches)
- Smaller flowers (1-2 inches wide)
- Flowers come in blue, purple, white
- Evergreen foliage
-
Periwinkle
- Longer, narrower leaves (2-4 inches)
- Bigger blooms (2-3 inches wide)
- More color options (pink, salmon, apricot, etc.)
- Loses leaves in winter
Growing Conditions
Vinca Preferences
- Tolerates both sun and shade
- Super adaptable to different soils
- Drought-resistant once established
- Hardy in zones 4-9
- Perfect for those tricky shady spots!
Periwinkle Needs
- Loves full sun
- Needs well-draining soil
- Great heat tolerance
- Annual in most regions
- Not frost-hardy (bye-bye in winter!)
Popular Varieties Worth Trying
Vinca Varieties
-
Vinca minor
- ‘Alba’ (white flowers)
- ‘Bowlesii’ (deep blue blooms)
- ‘Variegata’ (variegated leaves)
-
Vinca major
- ‘Maculata’ (gold-centered leaves)
- ‘Wojo’s Gem’ (cream and green leaves)
Periwinkle Varieties
- Cooler Series (handles wet conditions better)
- Mediterranean Series (great for hanging baskets)
- Pacifica Series (early bloomers)
- Heat Wave Series (perfect for hot climates)
Maintenance Tips
For Vinca
- Trim back wandering shoots yearly
- Spring fertilizer keeps ’em happy
- Watch for spreading – they can get wild!
- Great low-maintenance option
For Periwinkle
- No deadheading needed
- Regular watering in summer
- Feed lightly in spring
- Replace annually in most zones
Common Problems and Solutions
Vinca Issues
- Can become invasive (regular trimming helps)
- Might rot in poorly drained soil
- Sometimes gets botrytis in humid conditions
Periwinkle Problems
- Yellowing in wet soils
- Struggles in cool spring weather
- Needs replacement each year
My Personal Experience
I’ve grown both plants in my garden, and honestly, they each have their sweet spots. Vinca’s been amazing for covering those problematic shady areas where nothing else grows. But when I want reliable summer color in my containers, periwinkle’s my go-to choice.
Making Your Choice
Still confused about which to pick? Here’s my simple advice:
Choose Vinca if you:
- Need a ground cover
- Have shady areas to fill
- Want a permanent solution
- Don’t mind controlling spread
Go with Periwinkle if you:
- Want container plants
- Need summer bedding plants
- Prefer upright growth
- Like bigger flowers
Remember, both plants are pretty easy to grow and can make your garden look amazing. Just pick the one that matches your needs and growing conditions!
Would you like me to explain anything in more detail?
Cultivars of Large Periwinkle
- ‘Alba’ has white flowers.
- ‘Pubescens’ bears more pubescent leaves than the species and red-purple flowers with narrow petals.
- ‘Reticulata’ has foliage netted with yellow lines.
- ‘Variegata’ has creamy white blotches on the leaves. Flowers are blue and plants are sometimes known as ‘Elegantissima.’
Periwinkle is susceptible to dieback (plants wilt and “die back” to the ground), caused by fungal diseases. Cankers, which are sunken, wound-like lesions, may be visible on the stem near the ground-line. Fungal leaf spots occasionally occur and look like brown circular-to-oval spots on the leaves. Infected leaves should be sheared off and discarded. To reduce fungal infection, avoid overhead irrigation. Chemical control is seldom necessary.
For more information, see section on Rhizoctonia Stem & Root Rot in HGIC 2108, Vinca Diseases.
If this document didn’t answer your questions, please contact HGIC at [email protected] or 1-888-656-9988.
Marjan Kluepfel, Former HGIC Horticulture Information Specialist, Clemson UniversityRobert F. Polomski, PhD, Associate Extension Specialist—Environmental Horticulture/Arboriculture, Clemson University
This information is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement of brand names or registered trademarks by the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service is implied, nor is any discrimination intended by the exclusion of products or manufacturers not named. All recommendations are for South Carolina conditions and may not apply to other areas. Use pesticides only according to the directions on the label. All recommendations for pesticide use are for South Carolina only and were legal at the time of publication, but the status of registration and use patterns are subject to change by action of state and federal regulatory agencies. Follow all directions, precautions and restrictions that are listed.
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When You Should Plant Vincas (Periwinkles)
FAQ
Is Vinca a perennial?
Vinca makes a durable, easy care ground cover. It also spills nicely over container edges. Periwinkle works well as an annual bedding plant, in borders and containers. Vinca are evergreen perennials hardy to zones 4-9. Periwinkle is a tender annual that cannot withstand frost.
What is the difference between periwinkle & annual Vinca?
Annual vinca (also called Madagascar vinca) produce very similar leaves to the vinca minor. Annual vinca is an extremely low-maintenance plant that doesn’t even require deadheading to remove spent blooms. Both vinca minor and annual periwinkle prefer organically rich soil.
What is a periwinkle plant?
Annual Periwinkle. The vinca group of plants provides a wide variety of options to suit a range of garden needs across the U.S. Vinca minor is a particularly popular, low-growing vine that serves as a ground cover. Annual periwinkle, on the other hand, is an upright flowering plant for use as bedding flowers or in containers.
Does Vinca periwinkle have yellow leaves?
Vinca minor develops yellowed leaves if placed in full-sun locations. Both plants experience yellowing of leaves if planted in overly wet soil. Both vinca minor and annual periwinkle prefer organically rich soil. Vinca minor develops yellowed leaves if placed in full-sun locations. Vinca Vs. Annual Periwinkle.
Are vinca & Periwinkle a low-maintenance plant?
In terms of care and maintenance, vinca and periwinkles are relatively low-maintenance plants. They are both tolerant of a range of soil conditions and can thrive in both sun and shade, although they tend to prefer partial shade. Both plants benefit from regular watering, especially during hot and dry periods.
Is Periwinkle invasive?
Periwinkle is a tender annual that cannot withstand frost. Vinca species spread aggressively and can become weedy or invasive in some regions. Periwinkle has a better-behaved, mounded habit and is not invasive. There are two main species of vinca used in landscaping: Vinca minor, also known as common periwinkle, is a low-growing, trailing vinca.