Cleome (spider flower)
Cleome houtteana (syn. C. hassleriana) · Cleome family (Cleomaceae)
| Hardiness zones | 10 to 11 |
|---|---|
| Sun | full sun |
| Water | moderate |
| Life cycle | annual |
| Frost | Tender: killed by frost |
| Spacing | 12 to 36 inches |
| Days to harvest | 70 to 80 days |
| Soil temperature to plant | at least 70°F |
About Cleome (spider flower)
Cleome is a tall, airy annual with big round heads of pink, purple or white flowers whose long stamens look like spider legs. It blooms from early summer to frost and draws hummingbirds, hummingbird moths, bees and butterflies. Older types have spiny stems, a musky smell and reseed heavily; newer hybrids like the Señorita series are thornless, odorless and sterile.
A warm-season annual everywhere (NC State lists 10-11); older types reseed so freely that they come back each year.
When to plant
Timing is counted from your average last spring frost (and first fall frost). Sow & Tell works out the actual dates for your ZIP code.
- Start seeds indoors: 4 to 8 weeks before the last frost
- Set out plants: up to 2 weeks after the last frost
- Sow seeds outdoors: up to 2 weeks after the last frost
Sow outdoors after frost when soil is 70-75 F, barely covering seed; it sprouts in 7-14 days, and plants bloom about 70-80 days after coming up (Clemson). Or start indoors 4-6 (Cornell) to 6-8 weeks (Wisconsin) before the last frost. Space 12 inches apart, or up to 36 inches for bushier plants.
Soil
Average, moist, well-drained soil; somewhat drought tolerant once growing.
Average, well-drained soil is fine; follow a soil test before adding fertilizer.
Feeding
Too much fertilizer makes tall, leggy plants (Wisconsin).
Harvest
Blooms from early summer until frost, opening upward along the stalk. Snip off seed pods before they ripen if you don't want lots of volunteer seedlings next year.
Varieties (12)
Extension sources document 12 cleome varieties.
| Variety | Type | Days | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spirit Appleblossom | Branching (Spirit series) | Pink fading to white; 2-4 ft tall. | |
| Spirit Frost | Branching (Spirit series) | Pure white; 2-4 ft tall. | |
| Spirit Violeta | Branching (Spirit series) | Light purple; 2-4 ft tall. | |
| Sparkler 2.0 series | Compact F1 hybrid | 3-4 ft tall (Wisconsin) in blush, lavender, purple, rose and white. | |
| Linde Armstrong | Hybrid, sterile | Pink; 18-24 in tall; thornless and odorless. | |
| Señorita Blanca II | Hybrid, sterile | White; thornless and odorless. | |
| Señorita Mi Amor | Hybrid, sterile | Light pink; thornless and odorless. | |
| Señorita Rosalita | Hybrid, sterile | Lavender-purple; 2-4 ft tall; thornless and odorless. | |
| Helen Campbell | Tall, heirloom-type | Pure white, fragrant flowers on plants 4-5 ft tall. | |
| Queen series | Tall, seed-grown | 3-5 ft tall; Cherry, Lilac, Rose, Violet and White. | |
| Violet Queen | Tall, seed-grown (Queen series) | Purple flowers and purple-tinged leaves. | |
| Serrulato Solo | Thornless | Pinkish-white flowers; no thorns. |
Pests to watch for
Aphids, Twospotted spider mite, Whiteflies, Flea beetles
Diseases and problems
Powdery mildew, Rust, Edema (oedema)
In the kitchen
Safety: NC State and the ASPCA list cleome as non-toxic, but older types have sharp spines at the leaf bases, so wear gloves.
Pets: Non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses (ASPCA, 'Spider Flower')
Sources
Photo: Photo: NotAnonymous, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0). Photo resized for the web.
Planting dates and advice are general guidance; check with your local Cooperative Extension office for your area.