Garden Care Guide

Madagascar Periwinkle Care

Catharanthus roseus (syn. Vinca rosea)

An annual that blooms all summer and is exceptionally tolerant of full sun, heat and drought. Its worst enemies are overwatering and poor drainage, which lead to root rot. It is one of the most ideal and trouble-free plants for Izmir's hot summers.

Frost-tender (protect from frost) · 2 °C / 36 °F

Monthly care calendar

Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.

January
  • General care: Plan the planting area for next season and make sure the soil is free-draining. If necessary, improve drainage by adding sand or compost.
  • Pests & diseases: Deep tillage can be done to reduce pests in the soil.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 2 °C.
February
  • General care: Continue soil preparation. Aerate the area to be sown and clear it of weeds.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 2 °C.
March
  • General care: You can start the seeds indoors or in a greenhouse toward the end of the month. It is still too early for planting outdoors.
  • Pests & diseases: Prevent fungal diseases (damping-off) in young seedlings by using clean soil and pots.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 2 °C.
April
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
  • Fertilizing: Give liquid fertilizer once a month.
  • Plant protection: Protect young seedlings against slugs and snails.
  • General care: It is still too early and risky to plant outdoors. It is best to wait until nights and soil have warmed thoroughly (May).
  • Pests & diseases: Provide good drainage to prevent root rot.
  • Frost risk: At the start of the month there may still be a slight risk; protect seedlings.
May
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
  • Fertilizing: Give liquid fertilizer once a month.
  • Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
  • General care: Spread a 5-7 cm layer of mulch over the root zone; it retains soil moisture and suppresses weeds. Do not pile mulch against the trunk.
  • Pests & diseases: Wetting the leaves can lead to fungal diseases; apply the water to the root zone.
June
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
  • Fertilizing: Give liquid fertilizer once a month.
  • Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
  • General care: The plant grows rapidly and blooms profusely.
  • Pests & diseases: Darkening or softening at the base of the trunk is a sign of overwatering and root rot.
July
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
  • Fertilizing: Give liquid fertilizer once a month.
  • Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
  • General care: It continues to flower abundantly even in the hottest weather.
August
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
  • Fertilizing: Give liquid fertilizer once a month.
  • Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
  • General care: The plant is at its most showy stage.
September
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
  • Fertilizing: Make this month's feeding the last of the season; afterward, the plant needs to prepare for winter.
  • Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
  • General care: The plant performs at its best in late summer and early autumn. It will continue to flower profusely.
  • Pests & diseases: To prevent root rot, make sure drainage is good and that you do not overwater.
October
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
  • Fertilizing: After mid-month, stop fertilizing.
  • General care: It is removed at the end of the season; it is replaced with seasonal planting.
  • Pests & diseases: As the plant weakens, it becomes more open to disease.
  • Frost risk: Toward the end of the month, the first frost risk may begin.
November
  • General care: The plant will die after the first frosts. To prevent diseases and pests from overwintering, pull up the plant debris and remove it from the garden.
  • Pests & diseases: Removing plant debris is important for the health of the next season.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 2 °C.
December
  • General care: Leave the soil to rest or sow a winter cover crop. Plan for next year.
  • Pests & diseases: Make sure the soil is clean.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 2 °C.

The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.

Want reminders for every plant in your garden? Our garden-care app with monthly task lists and frost alerts is currently available in Turkish; the English version is on the way.

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