This is a versatile ground cover that grows in warmer temperate zones. It is often used in floral arrangements in the US and is well loved for its glossy, leathery dark green leaves. It’s most commonly seen with violet-blue flowers, but there are some different cultivars with other colors, such as white flowers or variegated foliage, though these are not too commonly available.
Light
Bigleaf periwinkle can be grown in full shade to full sun, though it seems to do best in partial shade. Planting in full sun may cause the leaves to dry out in hot weather, so keep it watered during periods of intense heat.
Soil
Not very fussy about soil, bigleaf periwinkle has a habit of appearing in surprising places, such as creeping out from under other plantings or growing near a foundation. It prefers a well-drained, slightly acidic soil to flourish. If your vinca major is growing in clay soil and seems to be lackluster or not forming very many flowers, try enriching your soil with a mix of peat moss and compost.
Water
If growing in shade, your vinca should not require extra watering. But if there’s a long period of drought supplemental watering may be necessary.
Temperature and Humidity
Bigleaf periwinkle is not as cold hardy as ordinary periwinkle. It prefers a temperate climate. But if it’s planted near a stone or brick structure it may retain enough warmth to become a perennial in a colder zone.
Fertilizer
This hardy ground cover should not require any fertilizer if the soil it’s planted in is healthy and has good drainage.
Symptoms
If humans ingest too much of this plant, it can cause an array of symptoms from mild abdominal cramping to cardiac arrest. In the unlikely event that your pet ingests enough vinca to cause a reaction, the symptoms may include vomiting or diarrhea. Consult your vet if these symptoms occur; be sure to keep your pet hydrated; the vet may suggest administering kapectolin to soothe the stomach.
Propagating Bigleaf Periwinkle
The best way to propagate this plant is by dividing from an established clump, though you can try growing it from cuttings as well. Water the plant before cutting and snip a stem that is between 4-6 inches long. Root this in a container with a potting mix containing peat moss and perlite. Keep the soil moist; using a plastic bag to hold in humidity may help. Roots should form in 2-3 weeks. You can also try propagating from seed, but you must first collect the seeds from seed pods and dry them, then start them in spring before last frost, which means saving them in a cool, dry place over the winter. Start them in a seed tray with potting medium; this tray must be kept in a dimly lit, warm (75-77 degrees Fahrenheit) spot. Use a mist sprayer to keep them moist until seedlings appear, then water lightly but regularly. Seedlings can be transplanted to containers once they’re 2 inches tall; plant outside once all danger of frost has passed.
