Overview of Spider Flower
Cleome is a genus of about 170 species in the caper family (Capparaceae). Spider flower, Cleome houtteana (sometimes listed as C. hassleriana or C. spinosa) is a common annual flower from South America (Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina and southern Brazil) that also goes by other common names including spider legs and grandfather’s whiskers. The common name of spider flower comes from the appearance of the long, thread-like stamens of the individual flowers and the elongate seedpods that develop below the blooming flowers. It has been a garden favorite since the 1800’s.
This tender annual grows quickly from seed to form tall, strong stems up to 6 feet tall from a stout taproot. Plants branch readily, and given enough space, can grow as wide as they are tall. The alternate leaves are palmately compound with 5 to 7 leaflets tapered at the base (although the leaves on the upper parts of the stems are smaller and simple). There are prickles on the midrib on the underside of the leaf and a pair of small spiny stipules at the base of each leaf petiole (some varieties are thornier than others), as well as glandular pubescence, so the aromatic foliage is slightly sticky with exudate and a musky smell from the glandular hairs. Many people suggest the plants have a slight skunk-like scent. The lower leaves often drop off plants toward the end of the season.
Cleome blooms from early summer until frost in a dense, 6 to 8 inch wide, ever-lengthening terminal inflorescence (a raceme). Each 1 to 1½ inch wide individual flower on a 2-inch pedicel has 4 reflexed light green sepals, 4 clawed petals and 6 erect to spreading stamens that grow to 3-inches long with yellow-orange anthers. The petals may be white, pink, rose or purple.
The flowers are commonly visited by hummingbirds, hummingbird moths, many types of bees, and butterflies. Bats are thought to be the main pollinator in its native tropical habitat. Flowers of many cultivars have no noticeable fragrance, while other varieties have fragrant flowers, often described as a musky, sweet and pungent, or spicy scent. Cleome can be an excellent, striking cut flower if the scent is not considered disagreeable.
Each flower is replaced by a seedpod (an elongate, cylindrical 2-valved fruit filled with numerous seeds) that develops on a long narrow stipe as bloom progresses upward on the flower stalk. Wait until seed pods start to yellow if collecting seed; dry seed pods shatter easily. Once the pods dry, they pop open to release the small round brown seeds. Cleome often self-seeds readily, although cultivars may not produce progeny the same as the parent plant (and after several generations all end up a pale pink color). Removing the seedpods as they develop can help limit self-seeding or spreading thick mulch over the area the following spring will reduce volunteers. Although this plant self-seeds prolifically and has naturalized in some areas, it is generally not considered invasive as it rarely persists in undisturbed areas.
Landscape Use of Spider Flower
Cleome is a nice addition to annual beds, can be combined with perennials in mixed beds, or used in a mass planting for a dramatic effect. When planted in mass, they can look like a blooming shrub, and works well to fill empty spaces in a young planting until the shrubs mature.
Tall varieties are best at the back of a border or in the center of island beds, while shorter cultivars can be interspersed throughout a planting. Cleome works well in cottage gardens, combined with other upright flowers such as Liatris, cosmos and snapdragons. Taller varieties can be used as a temporary summer hedge or as a screen along a fence. A monochromatic effect can be created by planting purple cleome with violet salvia and two-toned or lavender petunias in front. It also makes an airy foil to contrast with the bold flowers of cosmos or purple coneflower in similar colors. With its exotic appearance, cleome combines well with canna, hibiscus, bananas, and other tropical foliage plants. Shorter cultivars can be used in large containers.
General Care of Spider Flower
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. Pinching plants when young promote shorter, bushier plants. Otherwise, plants tend to have an upright, columnar habit. Because the plants are somewhat spiny and sticky, wearing gloves may be helpful when handling cleome.
Cleome has few insects or disease problems and is generally not favored by deer or rabbits. Occasionally flea beetles or cabbage budworm (Hellula phidilealis, which is uncommon in Wisconsin) will feed on the foliage.
Propagating Spider Flower
Start spider flower indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the average date of last frost or seed directly in the garden after all danger of frost has passed. Seed germinates readily under warm temperatures, but is relatively short lived in storage, declining in germination after about 12 months. Wait until the soil has warmed to plant in the garden, spacing the plants (or thin if self-seeded) at least a foot apart (up to 3 feet if you want bushier plants). Self-seeded plants need to be thinned to prevent being overcrowded, which results in weak and spindly growth.
There are a number of cultivars of cleome, including
- ‘Helen Campbell’ has fragrant, white flowers and grows 4 to 5 feet tall.
- ‘Linde Armstrong’ is a very compact, non-scented, thornless cultivar with pink flowers. It grows just 18 to 24 inches tall and 12 to 15 inches wide.
- ‘Queen’ series grows 3 to 5 feet tall. It is available in ‘Cherry’, (rosy red) ‘Lilac’, ‘Rose’, ‘Violet’, ‘White’, and a mix of these colors.
- Señorita series is propagated vegetatively and is thornless, odorless, non-sticky, and sterile, growing 2 to 4 feet tall. Varieties in the series are Señorita Blanca® II (variety ‘Inclesbimp’, USPP 27,011) with white flowers; Señorita Rosalita® (variety ‘Inncleosr’, USPP 19,733) with lavender-purple flowers; and Señorita Mi Amor® (variety ‘Inclesrcar’, USPP 27,055) with light pink flowers..
- SPARKLER™ 2.0 series is an upgrade of the original ‘Sparkler’ varieties, the first F1 hybrid cleomes. Grows 36 to 44 inches tall. Available in Blush (blush pink flowers), Lavender, Purple, Rose, White, and a mix of these colors.
- SPIRIT™ Series is a vegetative series that grows 2 to 4 feet tall, with a branching habit. Colors include Appleblossom (variety ‘Robspiapp’) with flowers opening pale pink and fading to white, Frost (variety ‘Robspifro’), with pure white flowers, and Violeta (variety ‘Robspivio’), with light purple flowers.
Author: Susan Mahr, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Reviewers: Allen R. Pyle, Horticulture Outreach Specialist, UW-Madison Extension, Bruce Spangenberg, Horticulture Outreach Specialist, UW-Madison Extension
Revised: May 2026
