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.

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