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Annual vinca (Madagascar periwinkle): when to plant and care

Plant into warm soil; wet, cool soil invites root rot.

Botanical nameCatharanthus roseus
Typeannual
USDA zones10–11
Sunfull sun
Waterlow
Bloomsummer to frost
Mature size1–2 ft
Planting timeAfter the last spring frost
Bright pink vinca (Madagascar periwinkle) flower
Photo: M108t, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Frost-tender; cold soil stalls growth.

Example dates

PlaceDates
Austin, TX (78701)spring: Mar 17–Apr 7
Atlanta, GA (30303)spring: Mar 31–Apr 21
St. Louis, MO (63101)spring: Apr 8–29
Chicago, IL (60614)spring: Apr 17–May 8
Denver, CO (80202)spring: May 7–28
Seattle, WA (98101)spring: Mar 20–Apr 10

Every ZIP page has its own dates. Find your ZIP.

State plant programs

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Sources

Summarized in our own words from public extension publications.

All plant guides