Vinca Plant Care in Winter: A Comprehensive Guide

Vinca, which is sometimes called periwinkle, is a pretty flower that makes gardens and landscape beds look better. The warm spring and summer months are great for vinca plants because their vines trail and their flowers are bright and beautiful. But giving vinca the right care during the cold winter months is important to make sure it lives and grows back healthy the next growing season. This complete guide tells you everything you need to know to successfully overwinter vinca plants.

Understanding Vinca Plants

Over 50 species of vinca plants are in this genus. There are both annual and perennial types. The annual vinca plant that is grown most often is Catharanthus roseus, which is also called Madagascar periwinkle or annual vinca. From spring until the first frost in the fall, this plant grows quickly and has flowers in shades of pink, red, white, and purple. Other vinca varieties include periwinkle vinca minor and vinca major.

Native to tropical and subtropical regions, annual vinca thrives in hot and humid environments. The plants reach 6-18 inches tall with a spreading, mounding form Vinca does well in full sun to partial shade exposure Its glossy green leaves and colorful blooms make it perfect for beds, borders, window boxes, hanging baskets, and containers.

Caring for Vinca in Winter

Annual vinca plants can’t handle cold winters, but perennial vinca plants need extra care to make it through the winter and into spring. Here are some important tips for winterizing vinca in garden beds and containers.

Preparing In-Ground Vinca for Winter

Perennial vinca planted directly in the ground requires minimal preparation to overwinter successfully:

• In early fall, cut back any vines that are getting too big. Don’t remove more than a third of the total growth.

• Remove spent blooms and any dead, damaged foliage to improve appearance and prevent disease.

• Apply 2-4 inches of mulch around the base after the ground freezes to insulate plant roots from temperature fluctuations. Shredded leaves or evergreen boughs work well.

• Cover beds with burlap or row cover if heavy snow or ice is expected. Avoid excessive moisture buildup.

• Remove protective coverings in early spring so plants can emerge properly as temperatures warm.

Caring for Container Vinca

Potted vinca plants need a bit more winter protection than in-ground plantings:

• Before frost, prune back leggy growth and remove dead leaves and flowers.

• Provide shelter from wind and cold rain by moving pots to an unheated garage, porch, or under an overhang.

• Water sparingly over winter, stopping once plants are fully dormant. The soil should remain slightly moist but not wet.

• Place containers on trays or blocks to prevent freeze/thaw cycles of soil which can damage roots.

• Check plants occasionally for any mold or rotting foliage, and remove if found.

• Bring pots back outdoors once all danger of frost has passed in spring.

Reviving Vinca After Winter

Proper spring care ensures vinca rebounds vigorously from winter dormancy:

• Gradually start watering as temperatures warm and new growth appears.

• Apply balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks to nurture new foliage and blooms.

• Prune back any remaining dead vines or winter damaged areas. Avoid cutting healthy new growth.

• Rake away mulch from in-ground plantings so the soil can warm effectively to stimulate root growth.

• Repot container vinca into fresh soil if roots have filled the existing pots. Trim back extra long vines.

• Be patient with slow spring growth, providing ideal conditions for the plant to revive fully.

• Remove any physical winter protections from potted plants brought indoors once risk of frost has passed.

Dealing With Dieback

Harsh winter conditions occasionally cause significant dieback of vinca vines. Follow these tips if dieback occurs:

• In early spring, prune all vines back to 2-3 inches above the soil line to stimulate new basal growth.

• Clear away mulch and debris from the base of the plant to allow fresh growth.

• Water and fertilize regularly to encourage regrowth from the roots up. Full recovery may take until midsummer.

• If minimal regrowth occurs after several months, the plants likely succumbed to winter damage and should be removed and replaced.

Key Considerations for Overwintering Vinca

Keeping these things in mind will help ensure your vinca successfully survives winter:

• Avoid excessive mulching which can cause crown rot and suppress spring growth.

• Prevent heavy snow or ice buildup on plants which can break dormant vines.

• Don’t cut vinca back severely in fall to avoid removing healthy wood that protects the base through winter.

• Water very sparingly once plants become dormant to prevent freeze damage or root rot issues.

• Be patient in spring for new growth to emerge. Don’t assume plants are dead too quickly.

• Provide ideal growing conditions in spring/summer to help plants bounce back fully after winter dormancy.

While vinca cannot withstand freezing winter temperatures, proper seasonal care allows perennial varieties to survive dormant and revive vigorously in spring. Follow these tips to successfully overwinter potted or in-ground vinca plants. With a bit of fall preparation and early spring TLC, your vinca will continue gracing your garden for years to come.