Cleome–commonly called spider flower–can add a tropical touch to flower beds and borders. This tall annual bears spiny stems of divided foliage and round clusters of small, spidery white, pink, or purple flowers with a light fragrance in summer.
Cleome is a shrubby annual that grows quickly to 4 feet tall (1.2m) or taller and just as wide. Grow Cleome in the background of other plants; it can be grown as a flowering summer hedge against walls or fences. It also grows well in containers.
Flowers can be cherry-red, mauve, pink, purple, rose, ruby, and white. There are several named cultivars.
Cleome readily self sows.
Cleome is a genus of 150 species of robust annuals and evergreen shrubs native to tropical and subtropical regions worldwide.
Get to Know Cleome
- Plant type: Annual
- Growing Zones and range: Zones 2-11
- Hardiness: Tender
- Height and width: 3 to 5 feet (1-1.5m) tall; 4 to 5 feet (1.2-1.5m) wide
- Foliage: Lower leaves divided, upper leaves undivided; leaves and stems feel clammy to the touch; strong but not unpleasant odor
- Flowers: Spider-like, 4-petaled flwoers with prominent stamens
- Flower colors: Shades of pink, purple, white, and yellow
- Bloom time: Midsummer to frost
- Uses: Mass in large beds or as a temporary hedge, cottage, and meadow gardens
- Botanical name: Cleome hassleriana
- Common name: Spider flower
- Family: Capparaceae
- Origin: Plains and mountain valley in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide
Where to Plant Cleome
- Plant Cleome in full sun in Zones 2-5; plant in full sun to shade in Zones 6-11.
- Grow Cleome in humus-rich, moist soil.
Cleome Uses
- Cleome is a colorful addition to the back of borders.
- Cleome can make a quick-growing hedge; it blooms from summer until hard frost.
- Plant shorter-growing annuals in front of Cleome.
- Flower can be cut for indoor bouquets.
When to Plant Cleome
- Plant seedlings in spring after all danger of frost has passed.
Planting and Spacing Cleome
- Space spider flower at least 12 inches apart.
How to Water and Feed Cleome
- Cleome wants ample water.
- Fertilize Cleome lightly to prevent plants from growing too tall.
Cleome Care
- Cleome has small thorns be careful when handling them.
- Stake Cleome once they are 12 inches tall.
- Cleome often reseed and may need control.
Cleome Pests and Diseases
- Cleome are commonly disease and pest-free.
Cleome Propagation
- Cleome is easily grown from seed.
- Chill seeds overnight before planting in average soil.
- Seeds germinate in 10 to 14 days at 64°F (18°C).
Cleome Varieties to Grow
- Cleome hasslerana (C. spinosa): shrubby annual bears fluffy clusters of pink or white flowers with very long protruding stamens; can grow to 6 feet tall and 5 feet wide; thrives in heat and tolerates some drought; cultivar ‘Queen’ is a popular series and includes ‘Rose Queen’, ‘Ruby Queen’, and ‘Queen Mixed’, ‘Helen Campbell’ has white flowers.
- C. lutea. Western wildflower wit yellow flowers and pale green leaves.
