Vinca: Annual vs. Perennial Types and Propagation

A gardener asks if vinca is annual or perennial and if it can be divided.

Two Different Plants

• Annual Vinca (Catharanthus roseus): Glossy leaves, pink/white/red flowers. Grown as annual in most of US. Propagate by seed.
• Perennial Vinca (Vinca minor / Vinca major): Evergreen groundcover, blue/purple spring flowers. Spreads by runners. Propagate by division (dig up rooted sections) or stem cuttings.

Which Do You Have?

Nursery flats in spring = usually annual vinca. Established groundcover in shade = likely Vinca minor.

Propagation

Perennial vinca: divide in spring or fall. Annual vinca: sow seed indoors 10-12 weeks before last frost.