Periwinkle, generally referred to by its genus name Vinca, is a fast-spreading ground cover prized for its glossy foliage and springtime blossoms. This perennial plant is commonly used to create a dense, low-maintenance carpet of greenery, particularly in shaded or difficult-to-landscape areas. Home gardeners often propagate existing periwinkle to expand coverage or fill in bare patches. Fortunately, periwinkle is easily multiplied through simple vegetative techniques.
Selecting and Preparing Plant Material
The optimal window for propagating periwinkle is during early spring or early fall. This allows new plants to establish a robust root system before the stress of summer heat or winter cold. Water the parent plant thoroughly the day before harvesting healthy material.
For stem cuttings, locate the non-flowering, horizontal stems (stolons) that trail along the ground. These shoots are primed to root quickly. Each cutting should be approximately 4 to 6 inches long and taken from the tip of a vigorous stem.
When propagating by division, identify established clumps with sufficient root mass. Periwinkle is shallow-rooted, making it simple to lift a section. Look for dense areas where the plant has naturally rooted along the stem nodes, creating individual sections.
Step-by-Step Propagation Techniques
Stem Cutting Process
Preparing the cuttings involves specific actions to encourage root development. Remove all leaves from the bottom half of the stem segment to prevent rotting beneath the rooting medium. Also, remove any flowers or buds present to redirect the plant’s energy toward forming new roots.
Dipping the cut end into a powdered rooting hormone is an optional step that increases success by stimulating root growth. Insert the treated cutting into a well-draining rooting medium, such as peat moss and perlite, ensuring at least one bare node is buried. Alternatively, cuttings can be rooted simply in a glass of water, with roots appearing within two to four weeks.
Division Process
The division technique produces larger, established plants immediately. Use a sharp shovel or trowel to dig up an established clump, lifting a sufficient amount of the shallow root ball. Separate the mature plant into smaller, viable sections, ensuring each contains a healthy network of roots and foliage.
Gently pull or cut the root ball apart into individual clumps, ensuring each new section is robust enough to survive. Replant these divisions immediately into their new location. Replanting at the same depth reduces transplant shock.
Essential Care for New Periwinkle Plants
Immediately after planting, new cuttings and divisions require thorough watering to settle the soil around the roots. Maintain consistent soil moisture during the establishment phase, but the soil should never become waterlogged. Periwinkle thrives in partial shade, but it can tolerate full shade or full sun if the soil is kept consistently moist.
For cuttings started in a rooting medium, confirm successful rooting by gently tugging after two to four weeks. Once a substantial root system has developed, the rooted cuttings can be transplanted into the garden. Divisions need consistent water for the first few months to ensure their new root systems anchor the plant firmly.