How to Care for a Periwinkle Plant

Select a periwinkle that is cold hardy to where you live in North America. The greater periwinkle lacks extreme tolerance for cold weather, growing safely outdoors only in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 through 9. The lesser periwinkle is much hardier in comparison, surviving the winters as a perennial in USDA zones 4 through 8. Vinca major “Wojo’s Gem” is a cultivar of greater periwinkle for warm climates; Vinca minor “Honeydew” is a lesser periwinkle for zones 4 through 8.

Place your periwinkle plants in a shady spot for best results. Although they tolerate full sunshine and periwinkles can grow in full shade, they prefer partly shady sites.

Plant your periwinkles in well-draining soil. Greater periwinkles perform best in damp soil full of humus, while the lesser periwinkle does well in the same situation. However, if necessary, periwinkles do grow in dry to medium conditions. Periwinkles are very adaptable plants, with the ability to grow under different circumstances, as long as the soil is neutral or has a slight acidity.

Space your periwinkles 12 to 18 inches apart to cover large areas with the plants. Once they mature, periwinkles will form a dense vegetative mat, serving as a ground cover with the added benefit of generating attractive flowers during May and June.

Mow your periwinkles in the fall. They will rejuvenate, coming back even fuller than before, with green, fresh foliage. Place periwinkles in spots where they receive some protection from harsh winter winds to prevent them from drying out in colder climates. Watch greater periwinkle closely, since it is an aggressive species, able to spread out in warm climates. It can creep out of its planned boundaries and into other parts of the lawn or even a neighbor’s yard unless you trim it back.