Rosy Periwinkle Facts

Plant

• Rosy periwinkle, a member of the Apocynaceae plant family, is also know as Madagascar periwinkle and cape periwinkle. The plant is similar to common periwinkle (Vinca) only rosy periwinkle can survive in higher temperatures. Growing up to 3 feet tall with a shrub-like appearance, the leaves of rosy periwinkle are green and glossy and the flowers are white to dark pink, or often a combination of the two. Some varieties grow more upwards while others crawl close to the ground.

Cultivation

• A perennial plant, rosy periwinkle grows well in warmer climates and in U.S Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 to 11. Most rosy periwinkle plants are grown from seed, but the plant can reseed itself. Once the seedlings have sprouted, keep the soil around the young plants moist. Fertilizing rosy periwinkle is optional, but it is beneficial when the plants are young. The plant grows best in full sun and well-drained soil. Be careful not to over-water mature plants. Rosy periwinkle plants produce flowers in the spring and fall.

Harvest

• Rosy periwinkle is grown commercially in Africa, Australia, India and southern Europe for use in alternative medicine. The stems of the plant are cut to extract a milky substance used to treat diabetes, asthma, menstrual problems, high blood pressure and different types of cancer. However, the rosy periwinkle plant should not be ingested by humans or animals because it is highly poisonous. When the flowers bloom, they will naturally fall off, so there is no need for deadheading.

Uses

• In the U.S., rosy periwinkle is used mostly for ornamental purposes. Certain varieties of the plant, such as "Carpet" grows low to the ground and makes for a good ground cover. Most varieties of rosy periwinkle will spread, also making it a good hanging plant or a wall cover plant. Chemicals are extracted from rosy periwinkle to make the cancer-fighting drugs vincristine and vinblastine, which are used to fight childhood leukemia.