The answer to whether a Vinca is a perennial is complicated because the common name “Vinca” is applied to two completely different types of plants. This shared name causes frequent confusion for home gardeners. To determine the plant’s longevity, one must first identify its botanical genus. The two genera, one a hardy groundcover and the other a tender annual, have distinct origins and survival needs. Understanding this difference is the first step in knowing if your plant will return next year.
The True Perennial Groundcovers
The plants often called Periwinkle or Creeping Myrtle belong to the genus Vinca. The two most common species are Vinca minor and Vinca major, both known for their long, trailing stems and evergreen foliage. Vinca minor is the hardier of the two, reliably surviving winter temperatures in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 9. This resilience comes from its growth habit as a low-lying, dense groundcover.
Its stems root easily wherever they touch the soil, creating a thick, mat-like carpet used for erosion control and covering large, shaded areas. Vinca major is slightly less cold-tolerant, generally hardy in Zones 7 through 11, and features larger leaves and flowers. Both species produce five-petaled, phlox-like flowers, typically in shades of periwinkle blue, purple, or white, primarily in the spring.
The Common Annual Variety
The other plant commonly sold as “Vinca” is Catharanthus roseus, better known as Madagascar Periwinkle. This plant is botanically distinct from the true Vinca species, originating in the tropical regions of Madagascar. It is characterized by an upright, mounding growth habit, reaching heights between six and eighteen inches, and glossy, dark green leaves.
Gardeners primarily use this variety as a bedding or container plant because of its showy bloom. Catharanthus roseus produces an abundance of flat, star-shaped flowers in vibrant colors, including pink, rose, white, and bi-colored patterns, from summer until the first frost. Its tropical nature means it cannot tolerate cold temperatures, which is why it is cultivated as a heat-loving annual in most of the world.
How Climate Determines Longevity
The practical lifespan of any Vinca variety in a home garden is largely determined by the local climate, specifically the winter low temperatures defined by USDA Hardiness Zones. For the perennial Vinca minor, survival is nearly guaranteed in zones 4 and warmer, as its root system and evergreen leaves can withstand significant cold. This plant goes dormant during winter, ready to resume growth in spring.
The annual Catharanthus roseus, however, only behaves as a true, woody perennial shrub in frost-free regions, specifically USDA Zones 10 and 11. In any area with freezing temperatures, the plant will die back completely after the first hard frost. Gardeners outside these tropical zones must replant the Madagascar Periwinkle every spring to enjoy its summer-long flowering display.