Also known as Spider Flower · 181 gardener saves
Cleome: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Cleome, the genus most gardeners know as spider flower. We track 5 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 5 most-saved Cleome varieties
Of 5 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedSparkler Blush Spider Flower
Cleome hassleriana 'Sparkler Blush'
#2 most savedSpider Flower
Cleome hassleriana 'Rose Queen'
#3 most savedViolet Queen Spider Flower
Cleome hassleriana 'Violet Queen'
Senorita Blanca Spider Flower
Cleome x hybrida 'Señorita Blanca'
Spider Flower
Cleome hassleriana
How to grow Cleome
What the Cleome varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 5 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Cleome year
- PlantApril and May100% of varieties
Plant transplants after last frost in late spring.
- DeadheadJune–September80% of varieties
Remove spent flower heads to encourage new blooms and limit self-seeding.
- FertilizeMay–July80% of varieties
Apply balanced liquid fertilizer monthly during active growth.
- HarvestSeptember40% of varieties
Cut stems when lower flowers open for best vase life.
- StakeJune40% of varieties
Stake tall plants early if grown in exposed or windy locations
Do
- Prune to shape and remove dead or damaged stems
- Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms
- Water consistently during dry periods 🌱
- Prune dead or damaged stems to maintain shape
- Fertilize monthly during active growth
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Do not disturb roots during flowering
- Skip fertilizing in late fall
- Don’t fertilize with high nitrogen fertilizers late in the season
What goes wrong with Cleome
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing and speckled foliage | Use miticides or insecticidal soap |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing and speckled leaves | Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Powdery mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Apply organic fungicide and improve air circulation |
| Powdery Mildew | White powder on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide |
Making more Cleome
Seed
- Tuck seeds into moist soil in early spring.
- Keep soil consistently moist for 2-3 weeks until germination (about 2 weeks).
seed
- Sow seeds indoors 6 weeks before last frost.
- Keep soil moist and maintain 70°F temperature.
- Transplant seedlings outdoors after danger of frost has passed, approximately 8 weeks later.
Cleome questions
How many types of Cleome are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 5 distinct Cleome varieties. The most popular — ranked by 181 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Cleome grow in?
Across its varieties, Cleome covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Cleome bloom?
Most Cleome varieties bloom in summer to fall, mid-summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Cleome should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Design with Cleome in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
