Also known as Periwinkle · 264 gardener saves
Vinca: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Vinca, the genus most gardeners know as periwinkle. We track 6 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 6 most-saved Vinca varieties
Of 6 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedPeriwinkle Variegated
Vinca minor 'Variegated'
#2 most savedSterling Silver Periwinkle
Vinca minor 'Sterling Silver'
#3 most savedPeriwinkle
Vinca minor
Illumination Periwinkle
Vinca minor 'Illumination'
Common Periwinkle Vinca
Vinca major
Greater Periwinkle
Vinca major 'Traditional'
How to grow Vinca
What the Vinca varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 6 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Vinca year
- PruneFebruary and May100% of varieties
Prune after flowering to control spread and encourage density.
- PropagateMarch, April, August and September50% of varieties
Propagate by division or by rooting stem cuttings in spring or fall.
- PlantMarch, April, September and October33% of varieties
Plant in spring or fall to establish roots before temperature extremes.
Do
- Prune to shape and remove dead stems ✂️
- Water regularly during dry spells 🌱
- Mulch to conserve moisture and control weeds
- Water regularly during dry periods 🌱
- Prune to control growth and promote flowering
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent fungal diseases ❌
- Do not fertilize excessively as it prefers lean soil
- Avoid planting in poorly drained areas
- Avoid overwatering, which can cause root rot ❌
What goes wrong with Vinca
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing and speckled leaves | Increase humidity and spray with insecticidal soap |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing and speckled leaves | Use insecticidal soap or horticultural oil |
| Root rot | Wilting and yellowing leaves | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Root Rot | Wilting and yellowing leaves | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Leaf Spot | Dark spots on foliage | Remove affected leaves and apply fungicide |
Making more Vinca
Cuttings
- Select healthy stem cuttings in late spring
- Dip in rooting hormone
- Plant in moist soil
- Keep soil moist for 6 weeks until roots develop
Division
- Dig up mature plants in early spring.
- Gently separate clumps into smaller sections.
- Replant immediately at same depth.
- Water thoroughly after planting.
Vinca questions
How many types of Vinca are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 6 distinct Vinca varieties. The most popular — ranked by 264 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Vinca grow in?
Across its varieties, Vinca covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Vinca bloom?
Most Vinca varieties bloom in late spring, early spring, spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Vinca 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.
Keep exploring
Design with Vinca in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
