Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle) in Zone 10a & 10b
Catharanthus roseus
When to plant vinca (madagascar periwinkle) in zone 10b
Zones 10a and 10b share the same average frost dates in our data, so this page covers both.
Method: Start indoors: Start indoors from seed, then transplant outside. Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle) needs a head start most zones can't give it by direct-sowing alone.
| Window | Spring window |
|---|---|
| Start indoors | Jan–May |
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Mar–Jul |
| Estimated bloom | May 20–Oct 19 (~80 days after transplanting) |
Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1-1.5 ft.
Zone 10b dates sourced from growinginthegarden.com.

Vinca (Madagascar periwinkle, botanically Catharanthus roseus) is built for heat that stops other flowers cold. Growing In The Garden describes it as synonymous with hot weather in the low desert, blooming through Phoenix summers with little fuss once it's established, a low, 12- to 18-inch mound of flat, five-petaled pink, white, or red flowers, often with a contrasting eye at the center.
How vinca (madagascar periwinkle) fits zone 10's season
Zone 10b's frost-free window runs about 324 days, from January 30 to December 20. Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle) needs about 80 days from transplant to first harvest.
Good companions
No standout companions recorded yet for Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle).
Where to buy vinca seeds
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing vinca (madagascar periwinkle)" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 10b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →

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Growing Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle) in USDA zone 10b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
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