Catharanthus roseus, also known as Madagascar periwinkle, is an ornamental plant with a long history of use in Ayurvedic medicine and cooking, despite its toxicity. It’s extremely easy to grow and propagates easily, making it an excellent choice for anyone interested in trying out growing their own plants at home. This guide will cover everything you need to know about caring for your Madagascar periwinkle from planting to flowering and everything in between.
Please welcome Catharanthus roseus.
The Madagascar periwinkle is a fascinating, beautiful, and useful ornamental plant. It can flourish on the ground, in pots, or in hanging baskets. It is simple to grow and resistant of drought. Continue reading for more details about this gorgeous plant.
Soil
The Madagascar periwinkle is a tropical plant and needs a soil with good drainage. The soil should also have plenty of organic matter. This type of plant is not usually sensitive to temperature, so it can be grown in both warm and cool climates. It can grow best in an acidic soil that has a pH between 5.5-7.5
Light
Wondering where to start? Here are some great tips on growing and caring for Madagascar Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus).
-You can find this plant in a variety of colors, including pink, blue, white, orchid, lavender, red and yellow. -If you’re looking for an easy way to care for your Madagascar periwinkle plants they will do well in a location with full sun.
Temperature
It is important to know what temperature the plant needs in order to grow properly. Madagascar periwinkle does not require a lot of light, so it can be grown in a low light environment. It is also important that the plant does not experience high temperatures because this will cause the flowers to drop and may even kill it. The ideal temperature range is between 60 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit, with an optimum growing range at 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Humidity
Even though it is a tropical plant, Madagascar periwinkle does not like high levels of humidity. If the air is too humid, then the leaves may develop a brownish tint. To keep humidity levels low, place this plant in an area that receives a lot of sunlight and has good ventilation.
Fertilizer
This plant is an annual, and it can be grown as a perennial in USDA zones 9-11. It thrives best in full sun, but some shade will do. Madagascar periwinkle prefers moist soil with good drainage and likes to have its roots wet all the time. The periwinkle is a heavy feeder, so make sure you fertilize it regularly with a water soluble fertilizer high in nitrogen (such as MiracleGro).
Propagating Madagascar Periwinkle
To start your Madagascar Periwinkle from seed, sow the seeds in a well-drained potting mix and keep them moist. The seeds will germinate in 10 days or less. Once they have sprouted, plant them into their permanent location in full sun or partial shade. Madagascar Periwinkle is drought tolerant once established. Allow the soil to dry out between watering cycles, then water thoroughly and deeply when needed.
Pests and Diseases
Insects and diseases are the two most common pests in Madagascar periwinkle. Insects that are known to attack this plant include aphids, spider mites, whiteflies, mealy bugs, and thrips. Aphids come in many colors and can be found on the underside of leaves. Spider mites will spin webs under the plant’s leaves and may require a black light inspection. Whiteflies will leave a sticky residue on plants.
Interesting facts about Catharanthus roseus
The Madagascar periwinkle is a small, evergreen plant with delicate, fernlike leaves and small, fragrant flowers. It can be grown indoors or outdoors in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 through 12. The flowers are usually white but may also be pink, blue or purple and are often used as an ornamental flower in gardens and pots.
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https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catharanthus_roseus
