Catharanthus roseus

RHS Plant Profile

rose periwinkle

RHS

Other common names

cayenne jasmine, Madagascar periwinkle, old maid, Cape periwinkle, East Indian periwinkle, rosy-flowered Indian periwinkle

Synonyms

Vinca rosea

Bedding Conservatory Greenhouse

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A woody-based evergreen perennial, to 45cm in height, with somewhat fleshy stems bearing ovate leaves and 5-petalled flowers, to 4cm across, pink, red or white in colour

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or East–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H1C

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Apocynaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Catharanthus can be annuals or perennials with simple, paired leaves and solitary or clustered, 5-petalled flowers at the branch tips
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Madagascar

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass in a peat-free, loam-based potting compost with full light and good ventilation. When in growth water moderately and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly. Water sparingly in winter. Can be grown outdoors as summer bedding in most moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soils

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in early spring at 13 to 18°C, or by softwood cuttings in late spring or semi-hardwood cuttings in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Mediterranean climate plants
City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Gravel garden
Patio and container plants
Flower borders and beds
Garden edging
Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Ground cover

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse whitefly and glasshouse red spider mite

Diseases

Generally disease-free