Find Your Ask The Expert: I saved this little plant from a school over the summer-it had apparently been an abandoned gift to a teacher. It was about 3 inches high, brown and nearly dead. Clearly it is happy and healthy now standing at about 12 or 14 inches high and with lots and lots of pretty, pink, 5 petaled blooms that just keep coming by the drove, and long thin, smooth waxy leaves. It’s doing well, but I have no idea what it is. Can someone help me identify my little orphaned plant? Thanks! -Jessica
Flower Shop Network‘s Plant Expert Reply: Jessica, what you’ve got there is a Catharanthus roseus, also known as Vinca. A favorite houseplant because of it’s long blooming season — early spring to fall.
Catharanthus roseus Care & Maintenance
This is a very hardy houseplant to maintain. (Although it looks like you’ve done a great job so far!) It’s best to keep the Catharanthus roseus in a warm, bright location, but not in full sun. Keep the plant watered; never let the root ball dry out. Invest in a spray bottle to keep it’s humidity up. Prune in spring.
A Little extra: Extracts from the Catharanthus roseus have been used in the treatment of numerous diseases, including diabetes, malaria, Hodgkin’s disease and leukemia.
This plant identification is brought to you by local San Diego florists.
Not in San Diego? Use Flower Shop Network’s handy directory of local florists to find a florist near you!
I have a Gardinia plant and has those awful white fungu on the branch any home remedes .
Attached Image: sick gardina.jpg
It looks like your plant has an insect called scale. This insect is sometimes mistaken for a fungus. However, a fungicide will not get rid of it. Instead you will need an insecticide that will take care of scale. Take a small branch or leaf of the gardenia with the scale to your local garden center and they will help you find the right insecticide.