Cleome
Cleome hassleriana
Cleome is a tall, airy annual topped with spidery clusters of pink, white, or purple flowers and long whisker-like seedpods, blooming all summer.
- Light
- Full sun
- Water
- Low to moderate; drought-tolerant
- Difficulty
- Easy
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Overview
Cleome, or spider flower, is a striking back-of-the-border annual that can reach shoulder height in a single season. Its dome-shaped flower clusters bear blooms with long, protruding stamens and slender seedpods that radiate outward like spider legs or whiskers.
It blooms tirelessly from early summer to frost in shades of pink, rose, lavender, and white, adding airy height and an old-fashioned cottage-garden charm. It self-sows generously, often returning year after year.
How to identify it
- Habit: Tall, upright, 3-5 ft
- Flowers: Rounded clusters with long stamens; spidery, airy look
- Seedpods: Long, narrow, whisker-like pods projecting from the cluster
- Leaves: Palmately compound (hand-shaped), with a pungent scent; stems often have small spines
- Colors: Pink, rose, lavender, white
Care & growing
Light: Full sun for sturdy, upright growth.
Water: Drought-tolerant once established; water moderately.
Soil: Average, well-drained soil; tolerates poor ground.
Temperature: A warm-season plant that thrives in summer heat.
Feeding: Light; rich soil can make it floppy.
Propagation: From seed sown directly after frost; self-sows abundantly. Wear gloves, as stems can be sticky and slightly thorny.
Habitat & origin
Cleome hassleriana is native to southern South America, including southeastern Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, and Uruguay.
It is grown worldwide as a tall summer annual in cottage gardens, mixed borders, and pollinator plantings, and naturalizes easily where summers are warm.
Frequently asked questions
Does cleome reseed aggressively?
Yes, it self-sows freely. Many gardeners welcome the volunteers, but you can thin seedlings or remove seedpods to limit spread.
Why does my cleome have a strong smell?
The foliage is naturally pungent, which is normal and helps deter some pests.
Do the stems really have thorns?
Many varieties have small spines along the stems and a sticky coating, so it is best to wear gloves when handling them. Thornless varieties exist.
How tall does cleome get?
It commonly reaches 3-5 feet in a single season, making it a good back-of-border or screening annual.
Cleome guides
In-depth guides for identifying, growing, and caring for Cleome.
