Lesser periwinkle
Vinca minor · Apocynaceae
📷 AnRo0002 · CC0
⚠️ Chiens et chats : alcaloïdes dans toute plante, ingestion cause troubles digestifs et tremblements. Humains : même risque, symptômes gastro-intestinaux.
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant lesser periwinkle: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Scientific name
- Vinca minor
- Family
- Apocynaceae
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Flowering
- March to May
- Adult height
- 15 to 20 cm
- Growth
- Moderate
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (-15°C)
- Origin
- Europe and Asia Minor
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Lesser periwinkle is an excellent shade cover, very low-maintenance and reliable. It climbs slowly up tree trunks.
The common mistake
Planting it in permanently waterlogged soil: it needs moist conditions but avoid stagnant water.
The pro's trick
Separate and replant rooted shoots every 2-3 years to thicken the carpet and rejuvenate tired plants.
Care
Light Exposure
Lesser periwinkle adapts well to partial shade and even full shade, although it flowers more abundantly with some indirect light. Avoid overly hot and scorching exposures that can yellow its foliage. It's an excellent solution for colonizing the shaded areas of your garden.
Watering
Keep the soil moist without excess humidity, particularly after planting. Once established, it tolerates dry periods well thanks to its shallow but extensive root system. Water moderately except during prolonged drought.
Soil and Planting
Lesser periwinkle prefers well-draining, fresh, and slightly acidic soil. It tolerates many types of poor or ordinary soils. Improve the planting soil with compost or organic matter to promote rapid rooting.
Pruning and Maintenance
Prune lightly after flowering (May-June) to maintain a compact form and encourage bushy growth. You can cut back stems that are getting too long to promote better branching. Remove dead or damaged leaves as needed.
Fertilizing
No fertilizer is really necessary on an established plant in ordinary soil. A light application of compost in spring is more than sufficient. Avoid high nitrogen fertilizers that would promote foliage at the expense of flowering.
Diseases and Pests
Lesser periwinkle is generally very robust and rarely susceptible to diseases. In case of excessive humidity, mildew may occasionally appear: improve air circulation in that case. Slugs and snails may attack young leaves, particularly in spring.
Did you know?
Lesser periwinkle was long nicknamed the 'witches' violet' in European folklore for its ancient medicinal properties, once used in popular remedies. Its alkaloids, the same compounds that give it its toxicity, actually interested modern pharmacology: periwinkle derivatives led to the discovery of anticancer treatments in the twentieth century.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Greater periwinkleVinca major
- OleanderNerium oleander
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- Star jasmineTrachelospermum jasminoides
- AmatunguluCarissa macrocarpa
- NosegaytreePlumeria alba
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.