Spider flower (cleome) Cleome hassleriana
Spider flower (cleome) (Cleome hassleriana) is an annual flowering plant in the Cleomaceae family, native to Southern South America (Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Uruguay). It grows 1–1.5 m (3.3–4.9 ft) tall and 50–90 cm (20–35 in) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about 2 °C (36 °F). Space plants about 50 cm (20 in) apart.
Plan Spider flower (cleome) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Spider flower (cleome) at a glance
| Type | Annual flowering plant |
|---|---|
| Family | Cleomaceae |
| Mature height | 1–1.5 m (3.3–4.9 ft) |
| Mature spread | 50–90 cm (20–35 in) |
| Spacing | 50 cm (20 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 2 °C (36 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 36 °C (97 °F) |
| Flowering | about 9–13 weeks after planting, for 13–17 weeks |
| Days to maturity | About 110 days from planting |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Southern South America (Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Uruguay) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇺🇸 United States |
Is Spider flower (cleome) toxic?
- People: not well documented
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
Not listed by ASPCA; the plant is sticky, strongly scented and thorny, and its toxicity is not well documented.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Spider flower (cleome)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Spider flower (cleome)
- How far apart should I plant Spider flower (cleome)?
- About 50 cm (20 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 50–90 cm (20–35 in).
- Does Spider flower (cleome) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Spider flower (cleome) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Spider flower (cleome)?
- It tolerates about 2 °C (36 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.
- When does Spider flower (cleome) flower?
- About 9–13 weeks after planting, for 13–17 weeks.
- Is Spider flower (cleome) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people not well documented. Not listed by ASPCA; the plant is sticky, strongly scented and thorny, and its toxicity is not well documented.
- What grows well with Spider flower (cleome)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Spider flower (cleome). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, NC State Extension
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
- Grown as a warm-season annual; self-seeds freely; stems carry paired spines at the leaf bases.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- African cabbage (spider flower vegetable) Gynandropsis gynandra
- Sunflower Helianthus annuus
- French marigold Tagetes patula
- English lavender Lavandula angustifolia
- Zinnia Zinnia elegans
- Cosmos Cosmos bipinnatus
- Purple coneflower Echinacea purpurea
- Foxglove Digitalis purpurea