How to Grow Cleome Flowers The Spider Plant

Tree Branch

About Growing Cleome Flowers in Your Home Garden

Do you know how to grow Cleome flowers? If not, don’t you think it’s time to learn? Then, get some Cleome seeds and get growing this great flower. Often called the “Spider Flower”, Annual Cleome flowers are easy to grow. This plant produces an elegant display of spider-like flowers.  Long seed pods develop, as the upright flower blooms grow, progressing up the stem and giving it the appearance of spider legs. They are right at home in your flower garden or grown as a wildflower. Cleome plants are native to South America, with 19 species.

Spider Flowers have long, strong stems. As the stems grow, wispy flower blooms develop upward along the stem in colors of pink, magenta, and ivory. The large blooms are 6-8 inches across.

Cleome looks best planted and growing in mass along the back of your flower garden. These tall plants are also good as borders and fence lines.

While Spider Flowers make good as cut flowers, they have a musky scent that some people do not like.

Cleome attracts birds, butterflies, hummingbirds, and bats. Also, bats are frequent pollinators, too.

Cleome plants are drought and heat tolerant.

Flower Colors: Lavender, pink, rose, and white.

Flowers Bloom: Summer to Fall

Plant Height: Plants grow 2-6 feet, depending upon variety.

Other Names: Spider Flower. Importantly, do not confuse this plant with the Spider Plant houseplant. In fact, they are two totally different plants.

Annual, Cleome Hassleana, Spinosa

Cleome Flower Plant Propagation

Cleome flowers are grown from seed. They are prolific re-seeders. And that’s a great trait for annual plants.  Once you plant them, you might not have to re-pant them for years and years.

Sow Cleome seeds outdoors in the spring, after the last frost in your area, and after the soil has warmed up. Cleome seeds do not germinate in cool soil.

You can also start plants indoors, 4-6 weeks before the last frost.

Days to Germination: 10 – 14 days

Plant Spacing: Plant these flowers 18 inches apart.

How to Grow Cleome Flower Plants

Fast-growing annual Cleome flowers are an easy to grow, low-maintenance plant.

Select a location with full sunlight to light shade. Also, choose a spot where the plants can grow for years, as these prolific re-seeders will save you the task of replanting each spring.

The plants grow well in average to good soil that is well-draining.

Mix in a little compost into the soil at planting time. Fertilize plants once a month, with a general-purpose fertilizer.

Plants tolerate a little crowding. Weed young plants to help them get off to a good start.

Water plants evenly throughout the growing period. Plants are somewhat heat and drought tolerant. They should be fine during mid-summer.

Mulch around plants to maintain a neat and tidy appearance.

Pruning plants is helpful to maintain the appearance, create bushier plants, and prolong blooms. Pinch growing tips of young plants. Prune away any dead leaves, stems, and branches. You can also remove seed pods, but that will take away from the “Spider Flower” look. 

Ideal Soil pH: 6.0 – 7.0.

Also, See:

Plant Problems – causes and cures

Insects and Plant Disease

Cleome flowers seldom have insect and disease problems.

Keep an eye out for aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies.

Apply an insecticide, only if needed.

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