Vinca, often referred to as Periwinkle or Creeping Myrtle, is a popular, fast-spreading evergreen groundcover widely utilized for its low-maintenance qualities and ability to thrive in shaded areas. This plant spreads by sending out long, trailing stems that root where they touch the soil, creating a dense mat of foliage over time. The successful establishment and desired coverage of Vinca is largely determined by the initial spacing provided at planting. Appropriate distance between plants is the single most important factor for both achieving rapid fill and maintaining long-term plant health.
Understanding the Two Main Types of Vinca
The required planting distance differs significantly between the two most common varieties: Vinca minor and Vinca major.
Vinca minor, or Dwarf Periwinkle, is the smaller variety, typically spreading about 6 to 18 inches per plant. Its leaves are thick and about 1/2 to 2 inches long. This variety forms a denser, lower mat, usually reaching a height of 3 to 6 inches, making it a robust choice for smaller areas or creating a fine-textured carpet.
Vinca major, or Bigleaf Periwinkle, is a more aggressive grower, characterized by significantly larger leaves, which can be up to 3 inches long, and longer runners. This species can spread much more rapidly, sometimes reaching 3 to 4 feet in width, and tends to grow taller, mounding up to 8 to 10 inches high. Because of its larger physical size and tendency to spread aggressively, Vinca major requires substantially more space than its smaller counterpart. This extra space is necessary to prevent overcrowding and ensure adequate light penetration to the lower foliage.
Planting Distances for Rapid Groundcover
When the primary goal is to establish a dense, weed-suppressing mat in the shortest time possible, closer spacing is necessary to encourage quick overlap between plants.
For Vinca minor, planting the individual starter plants approximately 8 to 12 inches apart will facilitate the creation of a solid groundcover within one to two growing seasons. This relatively close spacing allows the new runners to quickly intertwine and root, effectively eliminating bare soil.
Vinca major requires a wider initial spacing due to its substantially larger spread and growth habit. To achieve a rapid, dense cover for this variety, plants should be placed 12 to 18 inches apart. Planting any closer than this recommended range risks creating an overly dense planting that can lead to disease issues due to poor air circulation once the plants mature.
To optimize the filling process and achieve a uniform appearance, plants can be staggered in a triangular or zigzag pattern rather than straight rows. This pattern ensures that the spread from each plant targets the gaps between the plants in the adjacent row, resulting in a quicker and more evenly distributed coverage. Consistent moisture during the establishment phase, especially for the first few months, will also encourage the quick rooting of the trailing stems, which accelerates the formation of the dense cover.
Spacing for Defined Edges and Containers
If the planting objective is to define a border, edge a walkway, or use Vinca as a controlled spiller in a container, the focus shifts from rapid mass coverage to controlled spread and aesthetic definition. In these scenarios, increasing the distance between plants allows for a more intentional, gradual spread.
For Vinca minor, spacing the plants 12 to 18 inches apart will allow the vines to gently fill the area while requiring less immediate maintenance to keep them contained.
For the more vigorous Vinca major, a distance of 18 to 24 inches is recommended when planting along boundaries or on slopes where a controlled spread is desired. This wider spacing respects the plant’s aggressive nature, allowing it to trail while giving the gardener more time before pruning is necessary to maintain the boundary line.
Container Planting
When planting Vinca in containers, the goal is to utilize the plant as a “spiller” over the sides. Spacing is determined by the container’s volume. A single Vinca major plant can be sufficient for a medium-sized hanging basket, while three to five Vinca minor plants are typically enough for a standard 12-inch patio planter. The soil volume and drainage capabilities of the container are more relevant than the distance between plants, as the constrained space naturally limits the plant’s lateral spread.
Long-Term Management and Spread
Once the initial spacing has been determined and the plants are established, environmental factors and maintenance routines play a large role in how quickly and aggressively the Vinca fills the space.
Light exposure directly influences the plant’s density. While Vinca tolerates shade, plants grown in partial sun will often produce more flowers and exhibit a richer green foliage color. However, in deep shade, the plants may spread more loosely, which can slow the formation of a truly dense mat.
The rate of establishment is also highly dependent on soil quality and moisture levels. Vinca performs best in moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter, and consistent watering during the first growing season encourages the plant to set new roots rapidly. Once the plants are established, their drought tolerance increases, but maintaining some moisture will continue to promote the rooting of the trailing stems, which is the mechanism of spread.
To maintain boundaries and encourage a bushier, denser look from the plants, periodic pruning of the long, trailing runners is beneficial. Trimming the tips of the vines, particularly for the fast-growing Vinca major, redirects the plant’s energy into lateral branching near the crown rather than continuous outward extension. This management practice ensures the aesthetic success of the initial planting distance by preventing the plant from becoming leggy and maintaining a uniform carpet of foliage.