It can be tricky to tell these two flowers apart. Here's what to know about impatiens vs periwinkle, including whether they're invasive.
Impatiens vs Periwinkle Flowers: What’s the Difference?
Published on May 01, 2025
On This Page
How to Identify Periwinkle Flowers
Periwinkle flowers (botanic name Vinca minor) grow as a ground cover in Zones 4 to 9. They typically reach heights of up to 6 inches, and widths of between 6 and 18 inches. Flowers can be blue, lavender or white. They grow from spring into summer in full sun to part shade, in well-draining soil. Look for dark, glossy, evergreen, leathery and oval-shaped leaves.
It’s also common to confuse periwinkle with annual vinca flower (Catharanthus roseus), commonly known as Madagascar periwinkle.
How to Identify Impatiens Flowers
Impatiens flowers (botanic name Impatiens) grow as an annual. Their size varies, with plants reaching 6 inches to 3 feet tall, and 1 to 2 feet wide. Flower colors also boast a wide range, with purple, pink, red, yellow, or white blooms sticking around from summer to fall.
Impatiens grows in part shade to shade, and in moist soil. Look for thick, serrated leaves that easily become scorched with too much sun.
Impatiens vs Periwinkle: Are the Flowers Invasive?
While periwinkle and impatiens flowers can look pretty and are often sold as ground covers, gardeners should note both periwinkle and impatiens can be invasive in parts of North America.
Because common periwinkle spreads vigorously along the forest floor, it can displace native species. Gardeners should think carefully before using it as a ground cover, especially if it could harm beneficial native plants. To get rid of periwinkle growing in your garden, uproot it and throw it away. Check the Invasive Plant Atlas to discern whether periwinkle is invasive in your area.
Vinca major (commonly known as big leaf periwinkle) is also invasive.
Not all species of impatiens pose a problem for gardeners. However, Himalayan balsam, also referred to as ornamental jewelweed, is a member of the impatiens family and considered invasive throughout the United States. Several methods work well to eradicate the plants, including hand-pulling, mowing, or cutting the plants out.
RELATED:
- Disease-Resistant Beacon Impatiens Adds Color to Shade
- New Guinea Impatiens Care and Growing Tips
- Top 10 Annuals That Attract Hummingbirds
Sources
- Maine Public Radio, “Meet Himalayan Balsam: an invasive plant that’s relatively easy to remove from your yard“
- Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board, “Periwinkle large and small“
- Michigan Invasive Species, “Purple jewelweed“
