Perennial · Apocynaceae family
lesser periwinkle
Vinca minor
In short a 10-second read
Lesser periwinkle (perennial) grows to 0.08–0.3 m tall and 0.15–0.46 m wide when mature. It grows best in full sun to shade, in dry to average soil. It flowers in April–June; the flowers are blue or purple. Hardy to −34 °C.
× spread 0.15–0.46 m
Where to plant
Sun, soil, frost.
It grows best in full sun to shade, in dry to average soil. Hardy to −34 °C.
Sun
Tolerates several positions — choose to suit the rest of the garden.
Soil and water
dry to average · watering: moderate
Soil: loamy, sandy, clay
Frost
It copes with a normal winter outdoors.
How much space it takes
Mature size.
The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).
Next to a person
Reaches maturity in about 2–5 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.
Calendar
What to do and when.
Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.
The year at a glance
Flowers
April–June · blue or purple
Pruning
hard rejuvenation pruning (March–April)
Planting
container plant: March–May, September–November
Winter protection
not needed
Overwintering
It copes with winter on its own.
It overwinters outdoors without protection, hardy to −34 °C.
- Needs no protection
- Hardy to −34 °C
- Evergreen — green in winter too
What to combine it with
Same needs, different flowering.
They share the same sun and soil and flower in other months — so the bed flowers for longer.
common snowdrop
0.1–0.25 m
common houseleek
0.05–0.3 m
cotton lavender
0.3–0.61 mReady-made Studio combinations that include lesser periwinkle
Low evergreen perennials and sedge cover the soil even in winter;…
Frequently asked
Quick answers.
When does lesser periwinkle flower?
In April–June; the flowers are blue or purple.
Does lesser periwinkle tolerate shade?
Yes, it tolerates full shade.
How much space does lesser periwinkle need?
At maturity 0.15–0.46 m wide and 0.08–0.3 m tall; recommended spacing 31 cm.
Does lesser periwinkle survive winter outdoors?
Yes, without protection, hardy to −34 °C.
Where the data comes from
The data is indicative — we are still comparing it with further sources. Last checked 28 September 2026.
Show sources (16)
- Missouri Botanical Garden PlantFinder
- NC State Extension Plant Toolbox
- Gärtnerei Strickler, katalóg
- Foerster-Stauden, katalóg
- Bamberger Staudengarten (Strobler), katalóg
- EPPO Global Database
- RHS Plant Finder (Hardiness, Soil Types)
- Wikidata (CC0) — Vinca minor
- Iowa State Extension - How to Plant Perennials
- RHS - How to grow perennial plants
- Invasive plant lists — this species is not on them: EU, Slovakia, Czechia, Germany, Poland, Denmark
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