VINCA/PERIWINKLE: 3 Easiest ways to grow Sadabahar Plant| Health Benefits & Side Effects of Periwinkle Plant

Periwinkle Flowers

Periwinkle (Vinca)is also known as Madagascar Periwinkle as it is originated from Madagascar. It is a flowering plant in Dogbane family. Periwinkle is an Evergreen plant also known as Sadabahar in INDIA. 

Periwinkle is an easy to grow plant which needs low maintenance and care. It has a variety of colours.

Let's have a look on its physical appearance.

LEAVES: 

Oval Shaped Leaves

Vinca (Sadabahar) plant has oval shaped leaves that are mostly dark green in colour. The leaves are arranged in opposite pairs.

Normally, Vinca leaves are 2.5 – 9 cm long and 1.0 – 3.5 cm broad.

FLOWERS:

five petals in periwinkle flower

Periwinkle flowers have long flowering duration and always contain five petals. Sadabahar flowers are available in many colours. This one of the main reason of its presence in almost every garden .

COLOURS:

There are a number of colours available for Periwinkle flowers. Some mostly seen colours are-

• Pinkish Purple
• White with yellow or red centre
• Red with white centre
• Pale pink with red centre
• Peach with white centre
• Magenta with white centre

Periwinkle at my terrace garden:

Different types of Sadabahar plants at my terrace garden

Periwinkle plants are 10 to 20 inches long and grows well in full sun exposure. The flowering season is from May to November.

HOW to GROW Periwinkle Plant ?

Well! You do not need to worry about how to grow this Vinca/Sadabahar plant. Growing Periwinkle plant does not need any additional technique or care. Sadabahar plant easily grows in well-drained soil. 

It is a drought resistant plant & does not get easily affected by sun exposure. But partial shade is recommended for this plant specially during summers.

Periwinkle (Sadabahar) can be planted in ground as well as in container/pot.

HOW to GROW Vinca/Periwinkle in GROUND ?

Periwinkle flowers enjoying the sun

Since; Periwinkle is a Tropical plant, it grows well in tropical climate. That is why; for its better growth; 20⁰c - 30⁰c temperature is required. Planting is done during SPRING (March, April & May). Growing Vinca directly in ground needs high temperature both in summer and winter.

The Sadabahar plant should be planted in such a location where it will get full sun exposure. Watering should be done in alternate days but if needed (during May-June), water it regularly.

HOW to GROW Periwinkle in CONTAINER/POT ?

Various types of periwinkle flowers in a single container

To grow Periwinkle in a container/pot, choose a wider pot as this plant turns into a spreading stems one. Sadabahar should be protected from direct sunlight. It should be located in partial sun lighted area.

To grow Vinca in pot; regular watering is needed but over watering should be avoided. Regular soil is used to grow this plant.

How to GROW Periwinkle (Sadabahar) from SEEDS ?

Periwinkle plant with seeds

Follow the steps to grow Vinca from seeds: 

1. Fill a well-drained container with soil mix. Leave ¼ inch space between the compost and flat.

2. Put the seeds on the surface of soil mix. Leave 2 inches gap between the seeds.  

    Now cover the seeds with compost.

3. Carefully spray the water on the compost.

4. Cover the container with black polythene to avoid sunlight.

5. Remove the polythene after the seeds get germinated.

6. Add fertilizer after one week of germination.

8. Move the container to a warm, sunny location.

9. Take out the seedlings into separate pots when they become 3-4 inches long. 

    The little Periwinkle plants are ready to grow.

Benefits & Uses of Vinca (Sadabahar):

Multi purpose Periwinkle tea

During mid-1700s, Periwinkle was cultivated as an ornamental plant. It is also used as a medicinal plant. This simple looking plant has a number of medical uses and benefits. Some of them are listed below.

 1. Sadabahar is used in the treatment of Diabetes. 

 The leaves & flowers are boiled in water then the water is filtered. Take this mixture (water) twice a day.(Do consult a physician or doctor) 

2. Periwinkle plant is used in treatment of Hypertension. 

Boil 15 gm of vinca leaves/flowers in 400 ccs water until the mixture reduces to half. Cool the mixture and filter it. Take this filtered water before going to bed.

3. Roots of vinca plant helps in the treatment of Asthma & Bronchitis.

4. It is also used in the treatment of Anaemia.

5. Vinca is very helpful in the treatment of leukaemia, Hodgkin disease, malignant lymphomas, neuroblastoma, Wilms tumour, Kaposi sarcoma, mycosis fungoides. 
 
6. Periwinkle plant is also very helpful in the treatment of many types of cancers.

Side Effects of Periwinkle Plant:

Every coin has two facets so the Periwinkle has. With a number of benefits; this plant have some side effects too.

• Some Periwinkle flowers causes skin rashes.
• Excessive dosage of Periwinkle flowers may have harmful effects on Kidney, Nervous System, Stomach etc.
• Pregnant ladies, brain tumour patients and other patients should avoid taking this plant as medicine.
• It is recommended to use this medicinal plant after consulting a doctor.

After knowing Periwinkle (Sadabahar) more closely, let's enjoy a poem written by Louis Driscoll, which beautifully describes the characteristics of Periwinkle.

Periwinkle’s evergreen

Periwinkle’s strong,

Under the snow it lives

All winter long.

Sturdy leaves

no frost can break,

Friendly with winter

For April's sake.

Children will come

When the blue flowers blow,

Early-early-

The children know.

Periwinkle flower

Is early blue,

Periwinkle’s green

The winter through.