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Annual Vinca: Plant Profile and Care

Pink Catharanthus roseus flower with five petals
Botanical reference photograph. The pictured specimen is an illustrative example; species, cultivar, flower color and growing setting may differ from the named retail selection. Photo: Joydeep / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0. No edits; displayed at a reduced size.

Annual Vinca — Catharanthus roseus. Annual vinca is a frost-tender flowering plant also called Madagascar periwinkle. It is a different plant from the hardy groundcovers sold under the genus Vinca.

Light and placement

Full sun to partial or dappled shade.

Water and growing medium

Use moist, well-drained soil; avoid poor drainage.

Choose the right kind of periwinkle

NC State describes a tender perennial commonly grown as an annual in colder climates. Modern selections vary in color and habit. Keep the botanical name with your planting notes when comparing it with a perennial vinca groundcover.

Choosing the plant for your space

Compare the identity on your plant label with the botanical name above. A pot diameter identifies the container offered for sale; it does not establish the plant’s mature size or a named cultivar. Before choosing a permanent place, consider the light there, the available room and how you will check the growing medium. The source links below provide further botanical context.

Related Blessed Blooms listings

Blessed Blooms Flower Farm is based in Fairfield, Illinois. This is an educational reference plant, not a verification of the exact variety or contents in a store offer.

Related seasonal offers

This page describes the named reference plant accurately. The catalog offers connected below are related examples or mixed selections and may contain different species or cultivars. This profile does not identify their exact contents or promise current stock.

Related seasonal offers are not currently linked publicly. Ask the shop about current options.

More ways to enjoy flowers from home

Explore the Online Hand-Tied Bouquet Workshop or our flower-arranging ebook when you are ready for a creative project with cut flowers. Our Online Courses page explains the learning options.

For a florist-designed gift, view the current Featured Bouquet and shipping options for eligible continental U.S. destinations. The current bouquet listing describes the design and fulfillment choices.

Sources

Prepared by Blessed Blooms Flower Farm from the linked botanical references and our catalog. Last researched 2026-10-27.