Apocynaceae
Madagascar periwinkle: Medicinal Uses & Care Tips
Catharanthus roseus
Thrives in full sun and well-draining soil. It is relatively drought-tolerant once established but performs best with regular watering and monthly fertilization.
Every 7 days
Bright indirect
15° - 35°C
40% - 70%
Categories
What is Madagascar periwinkle?
Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) is a easy-care plant from the Apocynaceae family. Catharanthus roseus, commonly known as the Madagascar periwinkle, is a hardy evergreen subshrub. It features glossy, oval-shaped dark green leaves with a pale midrib and produces abundant five-petaled flowers. While native to Madagascar, it has become a staple in tropical and subtropical gardens wor...
Madagascar periwinkle grows up to 1.0m, with spread of 60cm, watering every 7 days, 15°C â 35°C, 40â70% humidity. It is suitable for indoor environments and not safe for pets.
Care Guide
How to Water
Water when the top 2-3 cm of soil feels dry. Avoid overhead watering to reduce the risk of leaf spot diseases.
Lighting
Place in a location that receives at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily for maximum flower production.
Ideal Soil
Prefers a sandy or loamy mix that allows water to pass through quickly; avoid heavy clay.
Recommended Pot
A well-draining terracotta pot is ideal to prevent soil saturation and root rot.
Care Schedule
Fertilize
Every 30 days
Misting
Every 7 days
Rotate
Every 14 days
Repot
Every 365 days
About Madagascar periwinkle
Catharanthus roseus, commonly known as the Madagascar periwinkle, is a hardy evergreen subshrub. It features glossy, oval-shaped dark green leaves with a pale midrib and produces abundant five-petaled flowers. While native to Madagascar, it has become a staple in tropical and subtropical gardens worldwide due to its heat tolerance and continuous blooming habit.
How to Propagate
Stem Cuttings
- Keep the cutting in a warm, humid spot with indirect light until roots form.
- Using rooting hormone can speed up the process.
- 1 Take Cutting
Cut a 10-15 cm healthy stem tip just below a leaf node.
- 2 Prepare Stem
Remove the lower leaves, leaving only the top two or three sets.
- 3 Planting
Insert the cut end into a moist, sterile potting mix or perlite.
Materials needed:
Seed Sowing
- Avoid overwatering during the germination phase to prevent damping off.
- Ensure complete darkness for the seeds until sprouts appear.
- 1 Sow Seeds
Sow seeds in a seed-starting mix, covering them lightly as they need darkness to germinate.
- 2 Maintain Warmth
Keep the soil temperature around 24-27 degrees Celsius.
- 3 Thinning
Once seedlings have two sets of true leaves, transplant them into individual pots.
Materials needed:
Characteristics
Max height
1.0m
Spread
60cm
Growth rate
Fast
Foliage
Evergreen
Warning: Toxic Plant
This plant can be toxic if ingested. Keep out of reach of:
Plant Uses
Ornamental
Great for decoration
Medicinal
Medicinal properties
Medicinal Uses
- Source of alkaloids vincristine and vinblastine used in cancer treatments
- Traditional remedy for managing diabetes
- Used in folk medicine to treat high blood pressure
Is your plant showing symptoms?
Click on the symptom to discover possible causes:
Meaning & Symbolism
Often associated with pleasant memories, everlasting love, and benevolence.
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