Cleome hassleriana

The spider flower — a tall, dramatic annual whose airy pink, rose and white heads bristle with long projecting stamens and slender seed pods.
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Cleome hassleriana — the spider flower

Cleome hassleriana is the botanical name for the spider flower, a tall, dramatic annual whose airy heads of pink, rose and white blooms bristle with long, projecting stamens and slender seed pods. It is the species behind our cleome range within the flower seed collection.

History & origin

Native to southern South America, particularly the warm regions of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay, cleome was introduced to gardens for its bold, exotic appearance and quickly became a favourite for adding height and a tropical air to summer borders in temperate climates.

The genus name Cleome is of obscure classical origin, while the species epithet hassleriana honours the Swiss-Paraguayan botanist Emil Hassler, who collected extensively in South America.

Botanical characteristics

A vigorous half-hardy annual reaching well over a metre, it carries palmate leaves on tall, slightly spiny stems topped with rounded, ever-rising flower heads, the projecting stamens giving the spidery look. The nectar-rich blooms are excellent for bees, butterflies and night-flying moths, placing it among our pollinator flowers, while its stature makes it a striking back-of-border annual.

Growing Cleome hassleriana from seed

Sow under cover in spring in warmth, as the seed germinates best with heat and benefits from a fluctuating day-night temperature. Prick out, grow on frost-free and plant into full sun and free-draining soil once warm, spacing generously; it thrives in heat and flowers into autumn. Our flower growing guide and flower sowing calendar cover the timing.

Ready to grow spider flowers? Browse the varieties or learn the basics first.

Related categories: Cleome · Annual Flowers · Pollinator Flowers · Cut Flowers · All Flower Seeds

At SeedsChoice, every order ships from Meppel, NL with fast, tracked EU delivery.

What is Cleome hassleriana?
It is the botanical name for the spider flower, a tall half-hardy annual from South America grown for its airy, spidery heads of pink, rose and white. When should I sow cleome seed?
Sow under cover in spring in warmth; germination is best with heat and a swing between day and night temperatures, then plant out once warm. How tall does it grow?
Well over a metre, making it a superb back-of-border annual for height, movement and a tropical feel. Is it good for pollinators?
Very — the nectar-rich flowers draw bees, butterflies and even night-flying moths throughout summer.