Spider flower grows best in full sun in moist, well-drained soil. Although it tolerates dry conditions, watering will promote better growth and flowering but overwatering and overfertilizing causes leggy growth.
Spider flower is an annual and will only survive for one season. However, in the right conditions, it readily reseeds and produces new plants year after year. Give new plants room to thrive by thinning out the emerging seedlings to about 18 inches apart.
The best place to plant cleome is in the back of a mixed flower bed or perennial bed where it creates a focal point and does not obstruct the view of shorter plants.
I pinch many annuals to make them bushier, including Cleome, Cosmos, Snaps, and others. When the terminal bud on the main stem is pinched or pruned, the plant is encouraged to grow side stems. I usually pinch just above the 1st or 2nd side bud below the top bud - or about 1/2 - 2 inches of the tip.
The delicate pink, rose, purple, white, or bicolor spider-like flowers, along with the spidery seedpods, give it the common name, spider flower. It grows best in average, well-drained soils and in full sun to light shade. Somewhat drought tolerant, cleome will benefit from supplemental irrigation during dry periods.
Flowering is a sign of a healthy, mature Spider Plant. The blooms are short-lived, usually only accenting your plant for a few weeks.
Although spider plants can grow well without humidity, they will do best if they are placed in a humid spot, so try it in a bathroom or kitchen, away from any south facing windows.
It can grow from 3 to 6 feet tall and 1 to 3 feet wide. It begins flowering in late June or early July and flowers continuously, with new blooms forming along the same stem as the old ones. Because the new blooms form on top of the old ones, the plants require no deadheading.
Top Cleome Companions
Salvia Clevelandii, with its drought tolerance and pest repellent properties, stands out as a stellar companion for Cleome isomeris. Its ability to thrive in dry conditions aligns perfectly with the water-wise nature of Cleome isomeris.
(Cleome serrulata attracts bees, butterflies, and, of course, hummingbirds with its bright pink blossoms and sweet nectar.)
Planting and Care
Cleome performs best when planted in a spot that has well-drained soil and receives full sun, but it can also take some shade. Again, cleome is best planted at the rear of a bed because of its height.
This tender annual grows quickly from seed to form tall, strong stems up to 6 feet tall from a stout taproot. Plants branch readily, and given enough space, can grow as wide as they are tall.
CLEOME CARE & MAINTENANCE
They aren't very drought tolerant, and if allowed to get too dry, lower leaves can turn yellow and drop.
Spider Flowers, or Cleome hassleriana, are known for their showy blooms and distinctive seed pods. They contain various natural compounds typical of plants, such as flavonoids, saponins, and tannins. However, these substances are not considered harmful to dogs.
Can Cleome be grown in containers? Yes, Cleome can thrive in containers, especially shorter varieties like 'Sparkler.
Cleome L. belongs to Capparidaceae family, and is a large genus with 200 species worldwide. Because of its ethnomedicinal properties, including anthelmintic, carminative, anticonvulsant, antidiarrheal, antimicrobial, and wound-healing effects, this genus has been used in folk medicine for a long time.
Cleome. Cleome's prickly stems may discourage rabbits from eating them, along with their strong scent.
Left unchecked, the Cleome does have the propensity to become invasive.
Harlequins are a stink bug and adults will produce a smelly odor when disturbed. They love the annual flower, cleome. Two or three generations occur per year.
Where to grow cleome. Grow spider flower in full sun and in fertile, well-drained soil.
Birds do eat the seeds, and the plant provides good cover for land reclamation and upland birds.
Full sun to partial shade.
Spider plant generally has few pest problems other than scale insects and mealybugs. Tip burn of the leaves is a common problem that can have many causes. Low humidity, excessively dry soil, salt accumulation and/or chemicals, particularly fluoride or chlorine, in tap water may cause brown leaf tips.
Simply stated, when light is directed onto a surface and reflects off, it creates indirect illumination. In this way, the light the moon provides is indirect illumination from the sun.
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
They appreciate the nutrient boost from coffee grounds. Benefits: Enhances foliage growth. Helps maintain soil health.