Common Periwinkle plant profile
Vinca minor
A perennial ornamental for partial sun.
Last updated .
When to plant
When to plant Common Periwinkle
Common periwinkle is a trailing broadleaf-evergreen groundcover with small blue-lavender flowers in spring and early summer (NC State), intermittently through the year. Plant in spring or fall; it roots at the nodes to form a dense mat and spreads rapidly, and because it is classified invasive by the NC Invasive Plant Council, native alternatives are preferred where its spread into lawns and natural areas is a concern.
The calendar shows this cited seasonal window as an approximate band. It does not convert the season into frost-adjusted dates.
Open Common Periwinkle in my garden calendarShows the source-backed planting season, not frost-adjusted dates.
Growing conditions
- Sun
- Partial sun
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Hardiness
- Zones 4a to 9bFind my hardiness zone
Common problems
Watch for these
Also watch for: stem canker, aggressive spreading, weedy.
Next steps
Continue with Common Periwinkle
Evidence trail
Evidence behind this profile
Original extension and institutional publications behind the planting, care, and safety facts on this page.
- Vinca minor (Common Periwinkle, Dwarf Periwinkle, Running Myrtle)
North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (NC State Extension). Supports general reference. Checked 2026-06-18.