Madagascar Periwinkle
Catharanthus roseus
The Madagascar Periwinkle is a perennial herbaceous plant, often grown as an annual in cooler climates. It features glossy green leaves and produces an abundance of five-petaled flowers, typically in shades of pink, purple, white, or red, often with a contrasting eye. The flowers bloom continuously from spring until frost.
Learn more about Madagascar Periwinkle in the encyclopedia →Care instructions
This plant thrives in full sun but can tolerate partial shade, especially in hot climates. It prefers well-drained soil and is drought-tolerant once established, requiring moderate watering. Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot. It generally does not require much fertilization, but a balanced liquid fertilizer can be applied once a month during the blooming season. Deadheading (removing spent flowers) is not strictly necessary for continuous blooming but can improve the plant's appearance. It is relatively pest and disease resistant.