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Cleome hassleriana. Big clusters of light pink flowers with reddish highlights and very long stamens appear above erect stems with spirally arranged leaves. You might not even notice the plant until the first flowers open – like roman candles in the garden! The flowers are very exotic looking, with quite a unique structure. Plants from Spider Flower Cleome seeds grow as tall as 150cm (60″), but usually a bit shorter on the coast. Spider Flowers are attractive to hummingbirds and beneficial insects. This native of southern South America is too tall for most containers, but it sure looks good planted in small groups in the garden.
Cleome, commonly known as spider flower, is an annual flower that adds vibrant color and unique texture to gardens. With its tall stems and showy blooms in shades of pink, purple, and white, cleome provides great vertical interest in beds and borders. Many gardeners appreciate cleome for being easy to grow, unfussy about soil, and relatively pest and disease resistant
But in order to get the most out of these plants, it’s important to understand when to sow cleome seeds for the best results Proper timing is key to ensure your cleome plants establish well, thrive through the growing season, and reward you with abundant flowers
Choosing the Right Time to Plant Cleome Seeds
Cleome can be grown in most regions as an annual, except for zone 10 and warmer where it may perennialize. It thrives in hot summer weather. Cleome seeds can be started indoors or directly sown into the garden.
Starting Indoors
When starting cleome seeds indoors, aim to sow them 6-8 weeks before your projected last spring frost date. Since cleome seeds need light to germinate, press them gently into the soil surface without covering them. Maintain a soil temperature of 70-85°F.
Once seedlings have 3-4 true leaves, harden them off for about a week before transplanting them into the garden after all danger of frost has passed.
Direct Sowing Outdoors
For direct sowing into the garden, wait until after the average last spring frost date for your area. Cleome seeds require warm soil to germinate well, around 70°F being ideal.
Plant the seeds 1/4-1/2 inch deep and 12-18 inches apart. If sowing successionally for prolonged bloom, you can continue planting more seeds every 2-3 weeks until midsummer.
Regional Planting Timeframes
Here are some general guidelines for when to plant cleome seeds based on USDA planting zones:
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Zones 3-4: Start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost date (mid to late April). Transplant outdoors in late May.
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Zones 5-6: Start seeds indoors 2-4 weeks before last frost date (late April to early May). Transplant outdoors in mid to late May.
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Zones 7-8: Direct sow outdoors 1-2 weeks after average last frost date (early to mid April). Can also start seeds indoors in early April.
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Zones 9-11: Direct sow in early spring once overnight temperatures remain above 50°F. Can plant successively into summer.
These timeframes serve as a general guide, but it’s also important to pay attention to weather and soil temperatures in your specific microclimate when deciding planting times.
Tips for Successful Cleome Seed Germination
Here are some useful tips to help ensure your cleome seeds germinate well:
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Provide temperatures between 70-85°F for best germination. Bottom heat, such as a seedling heat mat, can help maintain proper warmth.
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Seeds require light to germinate, so press them into the soil surface without covering.
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Maintain consistently moist soil but avoid saturation or puddling.
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Once sprouted, move seedlings to a sunny spot or provide supplemental lighting.
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Transplant outdoors only after hardening off the young plants for 7-10 days.
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When sowing directly outside, choose a site with full sun and loose, well-draining soil.
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Space plants properly to allow for good air circulation and growth.
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Water newly transplanted seedlings daily for the first week or until established.
Following the planting schedule guidelines for your zone along with these germination tips will set your cleome seeds off to the right start for a season filled with vibrant flowers.
Caring for Cleome Through the Seasons
Proper seasonal care is also vital for your cleome plants to thrive and bloom their best:
Spring
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Harden off indoor-started transplants before moving them to the garden.
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Water new transplants frequently until their root systems establish.
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Apply a balanced fertilizer when transplanting or soon after.
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Monitor for pests like aphids and thrips which may be active in spring.
Summer
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Water weekly if rainfall is lacking, aiming for 1-2 inches per week.
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Stake tall varieties if needed for support against winds.
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Pinch back tips to encourage bushy growth.
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Deadhead spent blooms to prolong flowering.
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Watch for Japanese beetles, whiteflies, and spider mites.
Fall
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Reduce watering frequency as temperatures cool.
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Leave final flowers to go to seed if you wish to collect for next year.
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Expect frost to kill the annual plants with cooler weather.
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Cut back dead stems and roots to clear garden beds.
Adjusting your care measures to suit the changing seasons will keep your cleome looking its best throughout its growing period.
Achieving Maximum Impact in the Garden
Here are some design tips to use cleome to full effect in your garden:
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Plant en masse for a high visual impact. Groups or drifts of cleome interspersed with lower plants create a lovely vertical element.
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Use it as a thriller plant in containers paired with cool-season fillers and spillers. The tall cleome will stand out nicely.
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Place it towards the back or center of mixed borders so it doesn’t block shorter plants.
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Grow different cleome varieties in a rainbow of colors for a vibrant, lively display.
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Let some bloom late in the season for attractive seed heads and food for birds.
With its long flowering period and ability to add height among lower growing plants, cleome is a great candidate for providing late summer and fall interest in the garden after many other annuals have faded. Time those cleome seed plantings right, and you’ll be rewarded with months of vivid color from these no-fuss, weather-tolerant performers.
More than a Seed Company.
We don’t just offer seeds, we offer experience, insight, and understanding. From timeless garden wisdom to new tech know-how, this is learning on the job: knowledge gleaned not from the pages of a book but from burying our fingers in the soil. We test, experiment, observe and adapt, never happier than when we get to share what we’ve learned with others.
Can You Dig It?
At West Coast Seeds we believe in the power of small and that little can be large. Like the tiniest seed germinates to evoke incremental change with massive potential, so to can our community of gardeners and growers together. Gardeners are the earth’s stewards, planting seeds of creative declaration. The soil provides the canvas, we provide the seeds.
How to Grow Cleome Spider Plant from Seed Growing Cut Flower Garden Annuals
FAQ
Is cleome hard to grow from seed?
Cleome is easy to start from seed and grows quickly. Once started, the plant seems to take care of itself. What’s more, the upright plant needs no staking if it is growing in full sun.
Does cleome come back every year?
Technically, cleome is an annual, though it may survive for longer than one season in parts of Florida. Cleome often self-seeds, which means you’ll have plants in the same location year after year. However, certain newer cultivars like ‘Senorita Rosalita’ are sterile and won’t produce seeds.
Where is the best place to plant cleome?
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. Staking is usually not necessary, except in windy locations.
Does cleome like sun or shade?
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.
When should Cleome seeds be planted?
Planting cleome seeds at the right time is crucial for their growth cycle and to ensure they thrive in the garden setting. Timing is critical, and my personal success with cleomes has come from sowing seeds directly into the garden in early spring, after the danger of frost has passed.
Do cleomes grow from seed?
Planting cleomes from seed usually results in a vigorous display of the tall, fragrant cleome spider flower. Newer cultivars, some in dwarf varieties of the cleome plant, have no fragrance and do not produce next year’s flowers as the seeds are sterile.
How far apart should Cleome seeds be planted?
Cleome seeds require light to germinate, so be careful not to cover them when planting. Learn more about germination light requirements here. Seeds should be planted 1/8th inch deep and left uncovered. Space 3 inches between seeds, and space 18 inches between rows. Thin to 18 to 24 inches apart when plants are 3 inches tall.
How long does a Cleome flower take to grow?
Cleomes, or Spider Plants, will bloom until the first frost. In a windy area, they may require staking; they are disease and insect free. Butterflies and hummingbirds love to feast on cleomes. Cleome seeds may be started indoors or outdoors. They grow best in full sun; seeds will germinate in 8 to 12 days if temperatures are 70 to 80F.
How do you start Cleome seeds indoors?
Starting cleome seeds indoors allows for a head start on the growing season. Cleome seeds need light to germinate, so when sowing, do not bury them deep in the soil. Instead, press seeds gently into the surface of a well-draining seed starting mix, making sure to maintain adequate moisture without causing waterlogging. Here’s an important tip:
When should cleomes germinate?
Look to germinate seeds early spring, timing it about 6 to 8 weeks before the anticipated last frost date of your region. For flourishing Cleomes, it is critical to provide a balance of water, nutrients, and proper pruning practices. My experience highlights these as the cornerstones of vibrant blooms and healthy plants.