Vinca – Catharanthus Roseus

Catharanthus Roseus is from the Apocynaceae family of plants. It is native to Madagascar. It is also known as Bright eyes, Cape Periwinkle, Graveyard plant, Madagascar Periwinkle, Old Maid, Pink Periwinkle, Rose periwinkle. In the United States, they sell it as Vinca. But botanists have moved this plant from the Vinca family.

It is a herbaceous subshrub. Catharanthus Roseus grows 15 to 45cm or 6 to 18in. It is evergreen. The flowers have five petals. Catharanthus Roseus flowers throughout the growing season. Generally, it flowers from June to frost or late autumn. They plant it as ground-cover or in bedding as well as in containers.

Though it is an endangered species, they have categorized it as a noxious weed in Australia. They have cultivated numerous cultivars. There is now a wider range of colors available. Catharanthus Roseus is used in herbal medicine. They grow it both as an ornamental and medicinal plant. Catharanthus Roseus is a source for drugs called Vincristine and Vinblastine that treat cancer.

How to grow Catharanthus Roseus:

Grow Catharanthus Roseus in the sun or partial shade. Plant it in well-drained soil. It is a low maintenance plant. They usually treat it as an annual. But it is a perennial. When watered it is best not to overhead water. Catharanthus Roseus performs even in dry and nutrient-deficient soils. Catharanthus Roseus is rabbit-tolerant and drought-resistant. You can propagate from seeds in the winter in a controlled environment or from cuttings in late summer. It is also self-seeding.