Common periwinkle

Vinca minor

Family: Apocynaceae

Perennial
Evergreen
Groundcover
Spreads Aggressively
Invasive Listing

Pet & Human Safety

People: No hazard foundPets: Toxic to pets

Hazardous parts

Not yet checked.

Preparation

Not a food plant; no preparation guidance is given.

Hazard type

Not yet checked.

Hazard route

not stated by our sources (the NC State page has no Poisonous to Humans section)

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

ASPCA lists periwinkle / running myrtle / vinca as toxic to dogs, cats and horses; it names vinca alkaloids and lists signs including vomiting, diarrhea, low blood pressure, depression, tremors, seizures and coma. The ASPCA pages give the scientific name as Vinca rosea (a different plant from Vinca minor), so the verdict is carried over to Vinca minor by common name and genus. Treat it as toxic to pets.

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Look-alike warning

Could be mistaken for Other plants with a similar name or look. To tell them apart: Match on the scientific name, Vinca minor, not on the common name.. NC State says Vinca minor is often confused with Vinca major, Catharanthus roseus (the bedding "vinca"), Euonymus fortunei and Ipomoea purpurea. "Vinca" and "periwinkle" are used for more than one plant. The ASPCA pages that cover "periwinkle/vinca" are labelled with the scientific name Vinca rosea, a name for a different plant, so check which plant a pet-safety line is about.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones: USDA 4a-9b (NC State)
Light: Prefers full sun, partial shade or dappled sunlight; tolerates nearly full shade and high heat (NC State).
Water needs: moderate
Mature size: Height 3-6 in; width 3-18 in (NC State description). NC State's Dimensions field reads width 6 in to 1 ft 6 in.
Where it comes from: Europe to the Caucasus (NC State).

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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