Spider Flower

Cleome hassleriana | Rating: 3 votes | Print / Pdf

Named Spider Flower because it resembles one. A spider that is, not a flower.

The Spider Flower, or Cleome hassleriana, can be found in various different cultivars. Depending on the type you choose, the blooms can be found in bright white, pink, violet or red. Whichever you choose, the flowers are definitely representative of the insect they’re named after with long finger-like petals. It needs full sunlight to best thrive, and is susceptible to frosts, so will need protection during the winter. A great choice for flowerbeds and borders, an informal area of the garden or can be successfully grown in containers.

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Plant
Known dangers?
  • no
Height [m]
  • 1.5
Spread [m]
  • 0.45
Dominant flower colour
  • Varies
Flower Fragrance
  • Yes, let it smell
Flowering seasons
  • Early summer
  • Mid summer
  • Late summer
Foliage in summer
  • Green
Propagation methods
  • seed
Growth habit
  • Erect
Environment
Acidity
  • Acidic
  • Neutral
  • Alkaline
Hardiness zone
  • Z11
Heat zone
  • H12-1
Winter temperatures [°C]
  • 4
Heat days
  • 0 - 210
Moisture
  • well-drained
Soil type
  • sandy
  • chalky
  • loams
Sun requirements
  • Full sun
Exposure
  • Sheltered
Usage
Standard category
  • Flowers & bulbs
  • Annuals
Grown for
  • Attractive Flowers
Creative category
  • Fast growing
  • Fine fragrants
  • For Beginners
  • For birds & bees
Garden type
  • Indoor or winter garden
  • Cottage garden
  • Containers
Garden spaces
  • Flower beds
  • Cut flowers
  • Architectural
  • Borders
Gardening expertise
  • beginner
Time to reach full size
  • 1 to 2 years
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4 Related plants
Cleome

Spider flower

PLANTS Cleome

Cleome is the genus, or family, name for a group of around 170 different species of beautifully flowering plants that can be found with blooms of yellow, pink, violet, red and various shades in between. Most flower during the summer and/or autumn and are a way of adding a wonderfully exotic feel to any garden. Some are hardy, others are susceptible to frosts so would need protection during the colder months, or moving under cover to escape the risk of frost damage.