Vinca – Catharanthus roseus

Common Name: Periwinkle, Vinca, Rose Periwinkle, Old Maid, Cayenne Jasmine

Botanical Name: Catharanthus roseus, ka-tha-RAN-thus RO-see-us

Decorative Life: From 4-5 plus weeks depending on environment.

Flower Color: Pink, Red, White

Availability: Year Round

Plugs can be stored for 5 weeks in the dark (6 weeks in light) at 50F and subsequently grown into very acceptable plants and/or flowers.

• From the Greek “katharos” (pure, without blemish) and “anthos” (flower).
• The specific epithet name “roseus” means rose, in reference to its flower color.
• This species contains alkaloids used to retard leukemia, a property discovered when it was being tested as a drug for diabetes.
• Will generally do well in light levels at least bright enough to read a newspaper in comfort but more light would be better. Some favorite cultivars and their respective flower colors include ‘Mediterranean Apricot Breadeye’ (rose eye) and ‘Pacifica Red’.

In an earlier (1978) study, Harbaugh et al. showed that this species could be sealed in a polyethylene package and still be marketable when held at room temperature after 18 days.