- Plant Characteristics
– Reaches 3-6 feet tall with 2 feet spread, featuring eye-catching spider-like flowers in pink, white, lavender, or purple.
– A low-maintenance, pollinator-friendly plant that adds height and visual appeal to gardens. - Growing & Care
– Thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It's adaptable to various soil types and prefers neutral to slightly alkaline pH.
– Regular watering during dry spells ensures healthy growth. It benefits from deadheading to prevent excessive self-seeding. - Tips for New Gardeners
– A great option for beginners, Cleome hassleriana is easy to grow with minimal maintenance. Ensure it gets full sun and water regularly during dry periods.
– Watch for self-seeding in warmer climates or untended gardens; otherwise, it's a low-maintenance plant.
Cleome hassleriana, commonly known as spider flower, is an intriguing annual plant native to South America. Its height can reach 3-6 feet (around 1-1.8 meters), with a spread of 2 feet (~ 0.6 meters), offering a striking vertical presence in the garden.
Blooming from summer to frost, this Cleome plant produces large, airy clusters of pink, white, lavender, or sometimes purple flowers with long stamens, giving the appearance of spiders, hence its common name. The plant has palmate, dark green leaves which greatly add to its unique aesthetic appeal. The Spider flower is favored by gardeners for its unusual blossoms, easy care, and because it attracts butterflies, bees, and other pollinators.
It can fit nicely into a variety of gardens including cottage gardens, wildlife gardens, and mixed borders. It is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 2 to 11 and RHS hardiness zones H2 to H3 (HHA). As it is not frost hardy, wait until after the last frost date to sow.
How to Grow Cleome Hassleriana in the Garden
Spider flower enjoys growing in a location with full sun and well-drained soil. It is very adaptable and can thrive in a wide range of soil types, including clay, loamy, or sandy soils, and it prefers a neutral to slightly alkaline pH.
Propagation of Cleome hassleriana is commonly done through seeds. These can be directly sown into the garden after the last expected frost, or for an earlier start, indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost. Seeds should be surface sown or sown very shallowly — about 1/16 to 1/8 inch (1.5 to 3 mm) deep.
When planting a seedling, dig a hole just large enough for the transplant, and water well after planting. Once established, the plant is fairly drought-tolerant, but will benefit from regular watering during dry spells.
Pruning is generally unnecessary for this plant, though it can help maintain the plant's shape. I recommend deadheading, as it can prevent self-seeding, which can be prolific with this species.
A balanced slow-release fertilizer applied in early spring will encourage vigorous growth and abundant blooming.
Though robust, Cleome hassleriana may occasionally be affected by aphids, whiteflies, powdery mildew and other fungal diseases. Regular observation and prompt treatment / removal can help maintain a healthy and attractive plant. With these care tips in mind, you can enjoy the unique blooms and architectural form of the Cleome hassleriana in your garden.
Quick Cleome hassleriana Growing and Care Guide
Scientific Name: Cleome hassleriana
Common Name(s): Spider Flower, sometimes referred to by the Spider Plant
Growing Zone (USA / UK Hardiness): USDA Zones: 2-11, but grown as an annual in all zones as not frost-tolerant. RHS Hardiness Rating: HHA (can be grown outdoors after danger of frost has passed).
Best Used For / Garden Location: Ideal for borders, cottage gardens, or butterfly gardens. Prefers full sun.
Plant Details
Life Cycle / Plant Type: Annual.
Plant Height: 3-6 feet (90-180 cm).
Plant Spread: 1-2 feet (30-60 cm).
Blooms: Summer to first frost.
Flower Details: Pink, purple, or white flowers with long, protruding stamens.
Leaf Foliage: Palmate leaves with 5-7 leaflets.
Fruit: Long, slender dry seed pods.
Growing Conditions and Location
Best Light Conditions: Full sun.
Suitable Soil Types: Well-draining, moderately fertile soil.
Sowing / planting: Sow seeds directly outdoors after the last frost, or start indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost.
Germination time: Seeds usually germinate in 10-14 days at 70°F (21°C).
Propagation: Grown from seeds.
Plant Care: Regular watering, but tolerates drought. Deadhead to prolong blooming.
Growing in pots and containers: Suitable for large containers with good drainage.
Growing as a House plant: Not typically grown as a houseplant.
Further Information
Miscellaneous: Attracts butterflies and bees. Self-seeds readily.
Pests and diseases: Can be affected by aphids, whiteflies, and powdery mildew.
Common Cultivars / Varieties: Cleome hassleriana 'Color Fountain', known for its mix of pink, lavender, and white flowers. Cleome hassleriana 'Rose Queen', known for its bright pink flowers.
Family: Cleomaceae, the Cleome family.
Native: South America.
References and Further Reading: "Cleome hassleriana." by Gardenia.
Common Questions
Does Cleome hassleriana make a good garden or landscaping plant?
Spider Flower, is a showy plant that adds height and visual interest to borders and cottage gardens. Its unique flower structure and foliage are quite eye-catching.
Is Cleome hassleriana a fragrant plant?
Cleome hassleriana has a slight, musky fragrance. Some people find it unpleasant, while others barely notice it. Its visual appeal often outweighs any concerns about the scent.
What is the perfect location to grow Cleome hassleriana?
It prefers a sunny location and well-drained soil. It's a heat-loving plant, making it suitable for full sun locations where other plants might struggle.
Is Cleome hassleriana invasive in the USA, if so in which states?
Cleome hassleriana is not considered invasive in the USA. While it can self-seed under optimal conditions, it doesn't tend to disrupt native ecosystems. Note that self-seeding might be more of an issue in warmer climates or gardens that are left untended.
How do I remove Cleome hassleriana from my garden?
To remove Cleome hassleriana, simply pull out the plants, ensuring that you remove the entire root system. If it has set seed, you may need to monitor the area for new growth.
Summary
Cleome hassleriana, a South American native, prefers full sun and well-drained soil. This annual produces clusters of spider-like flowers throughout summer, attracting pollinators.
I hope that you have enjoyed reading this guide on how to grow spider flower. You may also enjoy the following growing guides: How to grow Sanguisorba, Lobularia, and Astrantia plants in the garden.
