Also known as Periwinkle · 9 saves
Catharanthus
Catharanthus, the genus most gardeners know as periwinkle. We track 3 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.
The 2 most-saved Catharanthus varieties
Browse all 3 Catharanthus varieties →
Species of Catharanthus
Each one is a parent of the varieties above.
Track your Catharanthus in Sow
Save the Catharanthus you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.
How to grow Catharanthus
Whats common across all Catharanthus varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 3 most-grown of them.
The Catharanthus year
- PlantApril and May67% of varieties
Plant outdoors after all danger of frost has passed.
- FertilizeMay–August67% of varieties
Feed every 2-4 weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer.
Do
- Plant into warm, well-drained soil ☀️
- Water sparingly once established 💧
- Let it self-clean rather than deadheading 🌸
- Keep it out of reach of pets 🐈
- Water deeply during dry spells 🌱
Avoid
- Plant out into cold soil ❌
- Overwater it ❌
- Let anyone eat any part of it ❌
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
What goes wrong with Catharanthus
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Colonies on the soft shoot tips, with sticky honeydew and distorted growth | Wash off with a jet of water; plants in hot dry positions are rarely troubled for long |
| Generally pest-free | No significant insect damage is typical | Monitor only; NCSU rates it resistant to deer and rabbits |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing on leaves | Use insecticidal soap or horticultural oil |
| Powdery mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide |
| Phytophthora root rot | Sudden wilting and collapse of otherwise healthy plants, often within days, in cool wet soil | Plant only into warm, freely drained soil and water sparingly; there is no cure once plants collapse |
| Root rot | Wilting and yellowing leaves | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
Making more Catharanthus
Seed
- Sow indoors ten to twelve weeks before the last frost.
- Cover the seed and keep it warm and dark to germinate.
- Plant out only once the soil is thoroughly warm.
Cuttings
- Select healthy non-flowering stems and cut 4-inch sections.
- Mist cuttings daily and root in moist potting mix for 4-6 weeks.
Catharanthus questions
How many types of Catharanthus are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 3 distinct Catharanthus varieties. The most popular — ranked by 9 real gardeners — are shown first above.
What zones does Catharanthus grow in?
Across its varieties, Catharanthus covers USDA Zones 7–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Catharanthus bloom?
Most Catharanthus varieties bloom in mid-summer, summer to frost. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Catharanthus should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.