The periwinkle and especially the small-leaved and low-growing subspecies Vinca minor is often used as a ground cover for green plant carpets. Since this requires a certain amount of plants depending on the chosen planting distance, one could think about growing periwinkles from seeds.

Anyone who wants to grow periwinkle from seed faces a gardening challenge

Grow periwinkle from seed

Growing periwinkles from seed is not easy and can be frustrating for some gardeners. In order for the plants to really mature to the plantable size, all factors such as temperature must be taken into account. Moisture supply and incidence of light correspond exactly to the requirements of the plants. If you want to try it yourself, then you should sow the seeds under glass between February and April at temperatures between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius. About three to four weeks after sowing, the young plants should be large enough to be pricked out about 3 cm apart. Towards the end of May, the self-grown periwinkle plants can then be planted outdoors.

Why Lesser Periwinkle seeds are relatively hard to find

Since periwinkle is relatively easy to propagate, young plants are available in various varieties at relatively low prices in specialist garden shops. However, stocks of periwinkle in nature and in the garden are relatively sedentary and concentrated in one location. This is because the periwinkle rarely sets seeds at all. If at all, Vinca minor only bears fruit on karst soil and in extreme drought. Otherwise, this creeping semi-shrub tends to spread through side shoots, which can quickly form new roots when lying on the ground.

The alternative for propagating evergreens: offshoots and cuttings

Propagating the Lesser Periwinkle Vinca minor yourself is easy. To do this, individual rooted offshoots of the plants are simply dug up in the spring and replanted in another place. If the periwinkle grows too much at a certain point, the material obtained from the pruning can also be used to grow cuttings. Please note the following information:

  • Enrich newly planted sites with compost as fertilizer
  • Water offshoots well in the first few weeks after division
  • the propagation should not take place too late in the year (so that the young plants are sufficiently hardy)

tips

If the sowing of Vinca minor seeds does not work, this may be due to fluctuating germination conditions. Then you can try a special method and pack the seeds sown in moist peat spring pots in transparent plastic bags to create evenly moist climate conditions.

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Herbs