Madagascar Periwinkle
Catharanthus roseus
A bushy perennial or annual with glossy, dark green oval leaves and five-petaled, phlox-like flowers often featuring a contrasting central eye.
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade; prefers at least 6-8 hours of direct light for best blooming.
- Water
- Moderate watering; drought-tolerant once established. Ensure soil surface is dry before watering and avoid overhead irrigation to prevent leaf disease.
- Growth
- Tender perennial (often used as an annual); upright or trailing forms, typically reaching 6-18 inches tall and wide.
Care instructions
Thrives in warm environments with high light and well-draining soil. Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-4 weeks during the growing season. Minimal deadheading required as flowers are self-cleaning.
Growing details
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade; prefers at least 6-8 hours of direct light for best blooming.
Watering
Moderate watering; drought-tolerant once established. Ensure soil surface is dry before watering and avoid overhead irrigation to prevent leaf disease.
Soil
Well-drained, sandy or loamy soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0).
Hardiness zone
USDA zones 9-11; grown as an annual in cooler climates. Cannot tolerate frost.
Growth habit
Tender perennial (often used as an annual); upright or trailing forms, typically reaching 6-18 inches tall and wide.
Bloom season
Continuous bloom from early summer until the first frost in cool climates; year-round in tropical areas.
Propagation
Typically propagated by seeds sown indoors 12-15 weeks before last frost, or by softwood cuttings taken in late spring.
Common pests & issues
Susceptible to phytophthora aerial blight in high humidity; occasionally affected by spider mites, aphids, and whiteflies.
Similar species
Impatiens walleriana (Busy Lizzie), which prefers more shade and thinner leaves, and Vinca minor (Common Periwinkle), which is a low-growing vine with different leaf textures.