When to Plant Vinca (Annual) in Florida
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.
Florida spans USDA hardiness zones 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 8b, 9a, 9b (with planting data available), so planting dates vary by your location within the state. Click your zone below for the most accurate dates.
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Click your county for exact Vinca (Annual) planting dates based on your local frost dates.
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Vinca (Annual) Planting Calendar for Florida
▸ Zone 10a ~364 day growing season · Full guide →
Last frost: January 1 · First frost: December 31 · 364 day season
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | October 23 | Oct 23 – Nov 6 |
| Transplant Outdoors | November 20 | Nov 20 – Dec 4 |
| Bloom | January 29 | Jan 29 – Sep 10 |
▸ Zone 10b ~364 day growing season · Full guide →
Last frost: January 1 · First frost: December 31 · 364 day season
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | October 23 | Oct 23 – Nov 6 |
| Transplant Outdoors | November 13 | Nov 13 – Nov 27 |
| Bloom | January 22 | Jan 22 – Sep 17 |
▸ Zone 11a ~364 day growing season · Full guide →
Last frost: January 1 · First frost: December 31 · 364 day season
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | October 23 | Oct 23 – Nov 6 |
| Transplant Outdoors | November 6 | Nov 6 – Nov 20 |
| Bloom | January 15 | Jan 15 – Oct 8 |
▸ Zone 11b ~364 day growing season · Full guide →
Last frost: January 1 · First frost: December 31 · 364 day season
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | October 23 | Oct 23 – Nov 6 |
| Transplant Outdoors | October 30 | Oct 30 – Nov 13 |
| Bloom | January 8 | Jan 8 – Oct 29 |
▸ Zone 8b ~276 day growing season · Full guide →
Last frost: February 25 · First frost: November 28 · 276 day season
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | December 17 | Dec 17 – Dec 31 |
| Transplant Outdoors | February 11 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 |
| Bloom | April 22 | Apr 22 – Sep 23 |
▸ Zone 9a ~303 day growing season · Full guide →
Last frost: February 10 · First frost: December 10 · 303 day season
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | December 2 | Dec 2 – Dec 16 |
| Transplant Outdoors | January 20 | Jan 20 – Feb 3 |
| Bloom | March 31 | Mar 31 – Sep 29 |
▸ Zone 9b ~329 day growing season · Full guide →
Last frost: January 25 · First frost: December 20 · 329 day season
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | November 16 | Nov 16 – Nov 30 |
| Transplant Outdoors | December 28 | Dec 28 – Jan 11 |
| Bloom | March 8 | Mar 8 – Sep 20 |
Growing Tips for Florida
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.
Vinca (Annual) in Other States
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Vinca (Annual) in Florida?
Planting dates for Vinca (Annual) in Florida depend on your USDA zone. Florida spans zones 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 8b, 9a, 9b. Check the planting calendar above for your specific zone's frost dates and planting windows.
What zone is Florida for planting?
Florida contains USDA hardiness zones 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 8b, 9a, 9b. Your specific zone depends on your location within the state — northern and higher-elevation areas are in colder zones, while southern and coastal areas are warmer.