Vinca (Annual) Planting Guide

June

June vinca (annual) essentials

Whether you're sowing, transplanting, or harvesting, vinca (annual) needs the right timing. Check your zone below for exact dates.

Sun full sun

Water low

Days to harvest 70–90

Plant depth 0.1″

Spacing 10″

How to water vinca (annual)
Mulch heavily around vinca (annual) to hold soil moisture without watering more often.
Where to put vinca (annual)
vinca (annual) wants at least 6 hours of direct sun. Less than that and you'll get leggy plants with weak yields.
Check your local forecast before planting
Your zone determines the exact week to plant vinca (annual). Pick your county below and we'll line everything up against your frost dates.

Your vinca (annual) planting calendar by county →

Annual vinca (Catharanthus roseus), also called Madagascar periwinkle, is one of the most heat- and drought-tolerant bedding plants available. Glossy foliage stays attractive all season while cheerful pinwheel blooms continue without deadheading. A top performer in hot, humid Southern summers where impatiens and begonias struggle. Self-cleaning; requires little maintenance once established.

Catharanthus roseus · Flower · Apocynaceae family · 70–90 days to maturity

Annual Blooms in Multi-season Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant

Why it matters: If you're just starting a flower garden in your area, Vinca (Annual) is a forgiving first pick. It tolerates imperfect soil, mild drought, and the occasional missed watering. The reward: weeks (sometimes months) of continuous color.

Get Your Personalized Vinca (Annual) Planting Dates

Enter your ZIP code to see exact planting dates, soil compatibility, and growing tips specific to your county.

Where Can You Grow Vinca (Annual)?

Zone Compatibility for Vinca (Annual) Zones 3a – 11b

1a 1b 2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b 11a 11b 12a 12b 13a 13b

Ideal (data available) Suitable Marginal Not recommended

Planting Dates by Zone

Zone	Start Indoors	Direct Sow	Transplant	Bloom
Zone 3a	Feb 20	—	Jun 5	Aug 14 – Oct 2
Zone 3b	Feb 22	—	May 24	Aug 2 – Sep 27
Zone 4a	Feb 18	—	May 20	Jul 29 – Sep 30
Zone 4b	Feb 13	—	May 15	Jul 24 – Oct 2
Zone 5a	Feb 7	—	May 9	Jul 18 – Oct 3
Zone 5b	Jan 31	—	Apr 25	Jul 4 – Sep 26
Zone 6a	Jan 30	—	Apr 17	Jun 26 – Oct 2
Zone 6b	Jan 23	—	Apr 10	Jun 19 – Oct 2
Zone 7a	Jan 14	—	Mar 25	Jun 3 – Sep 23
Zone 7b	Jan 7	—	Mar 18	May 27 – Sep 30
Zone 8a	Dec 28	—	Mar 1	May 10 – Sep 27
Zone 8b	Dec 17	—	Feb 11	Apr 22 – Sep 23
Zone 9a	Dec 2	—	Jan 20	Mar 31 – Sep 29
Zone 9b	Nov 16	—	Dec 28	Mar 8 – Sep 20
Zone 10a	Oct 23	—	Nov 20	Jan 29 – Sep 10
Zone 10b	Oct 23	—	Nov 13	Jan 22 – Sep 17
Zone 11a	Oct 23	—	Nov 6	Jan 15 – Oct 8
Zone 11b	Oct 23	—	Oct 30	Jan 8 – Oct 29

Why are some columns showing "—"?

Direct Sow shows "—" because Vinca (Annual) benefits from being started indoors first, then transplanted after the last frost.

How to Plant Vinca (Annual)

0.1"

Planting Depth

10"

Between Plants

12"

Between Rows

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Low — drought tolerant

Drought tolerant — water only when soil is dry 2" deep.

🧪 Soil pH

6 – 7

Prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil — ideal for most garden beds.

🗺️ Hardiness Zones

Zone 3a – 11b

📅 Days to Maturity

70–90 days

Medium-season crop. Start early for best results in shorter seasons.

👪 Plant Family

Apocynaceae

Rotate with other families yearly to prevent soil-borne diseases. Don't plant in the same spot where Apocynaceae family crops grew last year.

Succession Planting Vinca (Annual)

Vinca (Annual) matures in just 70–90 days, making it ideal for succession planting. In a typical 180-day growing season, you can get up to 2 successive plantings by sowing every 8 weeks.

Your actual succession count depends on your local frost dates. Enter your ZIP code to get personalized succession planting dates for your area.

Companion Planting for Vinca (Annual)

✅ Good Companions

Marigolds Celosia Portulaca Zinnias

Check more combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Growing Tips for Vinca (Annual)

Start seeds indoors 10–12 weeks before last frost — germination requires warm soil (75–80°F) and darkness. Do not cover seeds deeply; they need just a light dusting. Direct sowing is rarely practiced due to slow seedling establishment. Transplant after soil warms and frost danger has passed. Excellent drought tolerance once established; avoid overwatering. Performs best in well-drained beds or containers in full sun.

Saving Vinca (Annual) Seeds

Recommended for Your Garden

🌱

Seed Starting Trays $8-20

Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.

🧪

Soil Test Kit $12-25

Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.

🏷️

Garden Plant Markers $6-12

Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.

Reader favourite

Seed Saving & Storage Guide

$27 $157 value

Most saved seeds go bad before next season. This shows exactly when to pick, how to dry, and where to store seeds from 200 plants so yours don't.

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Vinca (Annual) by State

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to grow Vinca (Annual)?

Vinca (Annual) (Catharanthus roseus) takes 70 to 90 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.

What zones can Vinca (Annual) grow in?

Vinca (Annual) can be grown in USDA zones 3a through 11b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.

How much sun does Vinca (Annual) need?

Growing Vinca (Annual) requires Full Sun (6-8+ hours), Low — drought tolerant, and soil pH of 6 to 7.