How to Propagate Vinca Vine: A Complete Guide for Beginners

Vinca vine, also known as periwinkle, is a popular ground cover plant that produces delicate flowers and lush green foliage With its trailing stems and ability to thrive in shade, vinca vine is ideal for containers, hanging baskets, borders, and slopes.

If you already grow vinca vine, you may be wondering if propagating it is possible. The good news is that vinca is one of the easiest plants to propagate! There are several simple techniques you can use to multiply your vinca vines and create new plants for free.

In this complete guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about propagating vinca vine We’ll cover

• Why propagate vinca vine
• How vinca vine propagates naturally
• Best time for propagation
• Propagation methods
  • Stem cuttings
  • Layering
  • Division
• Step-by-step instructions
• Aftercare and transplanting
• Tips and tricks for success

After reading this guide, you’ll feel confident and prepared to try propagating vinca vine yourself using a method that works for you. Let’s get started!

Why Propagate Vinca Vine?

Here are some of the top reasons you may want to propagate your vinca vine:

• Increase your supply – Propagating vinca allows you to create more plants easily and for free. It’s an inexpensive way to fill your garden beds or share the beauty of vinca with friends.

• Rejuvenate overgrown plants – Old, overgrown vinca can be renewed by dividing and replanting divisions. Propagating parts of the plant helps stimulate new, healthy growth.

• Back up your collection – Propagating can serve as a backup plan in case your original plants become damaged. You’ll have new plants ready to pop in the ground.

• Expand color selection – Try your hand at propagating different vinca vine varieties to grow a spectrum of flower colors like purple, white, red, and blue.

• Enjoy rewarding results – Propagating is an extremely gratifying, hands-on process. It’s fun to nurture plants from cuttings or divisions and watch their progress as they root and develop.

How Vinca Vine Propagates Naturally

In nature, vinca vine spreads via above-ground stems that root where they touch the soil. As the plant matures, the stems become long and wandering. When sections make contact with moist soil, they begin forming adventitious roots. These rooted sections then develop into new plants.

This natural propagation method is called layering. We can replicate it using specialized techniques covered later in this guide. Understanding how vinca vine propogates on its own helps explain why methods like layering and stem cuttings are so effective at multiplying it.

Best Time to Propagate Vinca Vine

For the highest chance of success, propagate vinca vine in spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing. Warm soil temperatures and available moisture during this time provide an ideal environment for new cuttings and layers to develop roots. The longer days also give cuttings the light they need.

You can also propagate in late summer or fall, but you may have lower success rates since day length shortens and growth begins to slow. Early spring is less ideal due to the cooler soil temperatures.

Aim for spring or early summer propagation to set your vinca cuttings and layers up for optimal root development.

Propagation Methods for Vinca Vine

There are three main methods suitable for propagating vinca vine: stem cuttings, layering, and division. Each has pros and cons to consider when deciding which technique to try.

Stem Cuttings

Taking stem cuttings is the most direct way to propagate vinca vine. It involves cutting off a piece of an existing vinca vine plant and rooting it to grow an entirely new plant genetically identical to the parent.

Pros:

• Fast and easy
• No need to disturb parent plant
• Produces numerous plants from one parent

Cons:

• Cuttings are delicate and require more attention
• Slightly lower success rate than other methods
• Requires cutting pieces off the parent plant

Layering

Layering involves encouraging a vinca vine stem to root while still attached to the parent plant. Once rooted, the new plant is cut away and potted up.

Pros:

• Very high success rate
• No cutting required initially
• Less stressful for parent plant

Cons:

• Slower than other methods
• Space needed to lay stems on ground
• Disturbs parent plant when separating new plants

Division

Division separates one large vinca plant into multiple smaller sections containing roots and growth buds. Dividing overgrown plants reinvigorates them while multiplying your plants.

Pros:

• Fast increase in plant numbers
• Revitalizes overgrown plants
• Very high success rate

Cons:

• Can be disruptive to parent plant
• Limited number of divisions from each plant
• Divisions may be prone to transplant shock

Any of these methods can work well. Stem cuttings are the simplest place for beginners to start, while layering offers a high success rate for those looking to expand their vines.

Next, we’ll go through step-by-step propagation instructions using each technique.

How to Propagate Vinca Vine by Stem Cuttings

Here is the play-by-play for propagating vinca from stem cuttings:

Supplies Needed

• Healthy vinca vine plant
• Clean, sharp shears or pruners
• Sterilizer like diluted bleach or alcohol (optional)
• Rooting hormone powder or gel (optional but recommended)
• Small pots or trays
• Potting soil or peat/perlite mix
• Clear plastic bags
• Labels

Step 1: Take 3-4 inch stem cuttings

Use clean, sharp pruners or garden shears to take 3-4 inch long cuttings from the tips of healthy vinca stems. Select non-flowering stems that exhibit vigor.

Make the cut just below a node or joint on the stem. Nodes are the points where leaves emerge from the stem.

Step 2: Trim cuttings

Trim off the lowest set of leaves from each cutting. About 1-1 1/2 inches of bare stem should remain at the base. This helps direct the cutting’s energy toward root growth instead of sustaining unnecessary leaves.

You can also scrape or nick the bottom 1/2 inch of the bare stem which can encourage root development.

Step 3. Dip cuttings in rooting hormone

While optional, dipping the trimmed end of the cutting in a rooting hormone powder or gel can give a boost to root initiation. The added plant hormones promote quicker rooting.

Tap off any excess hormone before inserting cuttings.

Step 4. Stick cuttings in potting mix

Insert cuttings about 2 inches deep in pots or trays filled with sterile, well-draining potting mix. A peat and perlite blend also works well.

Space multiple cuttings 1-2 inches apart. Gently firm the soil around each cutting’s stem.

Step 5. Provide a humid environment

Creating a humid environment guards against excess moisture loss while the unrooted cuttings establish.

Place the pots inside a clear plastic bag or under a plastic dome to boost humidity levels. Make sure the cuttings receive bright light.

Step 6. Wait for roots to develop

Keep the potting mix moist but not saturated. Expect roots to develop in approximately 3-4 weeks. Gently tug on cuttings to check for resistance from new root growth.

Once cuttings have rooted, transition them to more air flow for a few days before full transplanting.

Step 7. Transplant into gardens

When cuttings have a well-developed root system, transplant them into the garden or larger containers. Space them at least 12 inches apart.

Water them in well and keep them watered while roots establish in their new location. Add a layer of mulch to help retain moisture.

In 6-12 weeks, your vinca vine cuttings should be fully established, ready to provide trailing foliage and cheerful flowers!

How to Propagate Vinca Vine by Layering

Layering allows you to create rooted vinca vines without taking any cuttings. Here are step-by-step layering instructions:

Supplies Needed

• Established vinca vine plant
• Garden wire or staples
• Sharp knife or pruning shears
• Rooting hormone powder (optional)
• Potting soil
• Labels

Step 1. Select a long, flexible stem

Identify one or more long, supple stems on an established vinca vine plant. The ideal stems will be able to bend down to ground level without breaking.

Look for stems that are actively growing from this year’s growth, not old woody stems.

Step 2. Wound the stem

Make a small 1-1 1/2 inch vertical cut