Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus), known as Sadabahar, is one of India's most reliable flowering plants, blooming almost continuously through the year. It forms a neat, bushy mound of glossy dark-green leaves topped with five-petalled flowers in pink, white, rose, magenta or bicolour with a contrasting eye. Extremely heat- and drought-tolerant, it thrives in beds, borders, pots and balconies with very little care and self-seeds readily. Beyond ornament, it is a well-known medicinal plant, though all parts are toxic if eaten. Its non-stop colour, toughness and ease make it a perennial favourite for beginner and busy gardeners alike.
Specifications
| Family |
Apocynaceae |
| Native region |
Madagascar |
| Mature height |
30-60 cm |
| Mature spread |
30-50 cm |
| Growth rate |
Fast |
| Foliage |
Glossy dark-green oval leaves |
| Flower colour |
Pink, white, rose, magenta, bicolour |
| Flower season |
Almost year-round |
| Climate zone |
Tropical and subtropical |
Care guide
| Sunlight |
Full sun to part shade |
| Watering |
Moderate; very drought-tolerant once established |
| Soil / mix |
Well-drained ordinary garden soil |
| Temperature |
Heat-loving 20-38C; frost-sensitive |
| Humidity |
Tolerates a wide range |
| Fertilizer |
Light feed every few weeks for steady bloom |
| Pruning |
Pinch tips to keep bushy and floriferous |
| Repotting |
Refresh or repot annually in pots |
| Propagation |
Seed or soft stem cuttings |
| Pests & problems |
Generally hardy; watch for aphids and root rot in wet soil |
| Toxicity / safety |
All parts toxic if ingested |
| Difficulty |
Very easy |
Uses
<p>A versatile bedding, border and container plant for non-stop colour in hot climates. Also widely grown as a traditional medicinal and pollinator-friendly plant.</p>
Growing tips
<p>In India give it full sun and free-draining soil; it tolerates heat and drought superbly, so avoid overwatering and pinch the tips regularly to keep it compact and blooming all year.</p>