Cleome
Cleome hassleriana
Varieties We Bring In
Last received Mar 4, 2026.
We bring this in seasonally, so what is on the lot changes week to week. A received date shows when it last came in, not that it is here today.
Call (904) 471-0440 to confirm this plant and size before you make the trip.
About Cleome
Cleome (Cleome hassleriana), or Spider Flower, is a tall, stately South American annual bearing large, airy heads of pink, purple, or white flowers with long, spidery stamens atop branching stems that can reach 4–5 feet. It self-seeds freely and adds dramatic vertical interest to informal borders and cottage gardens. Starting at $7.95.
Plant details
- Bloom Season
- Summer, Fall
- Flower Color
- White, Pink, Purple
- Growth Rate
- Fast
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- Sandy, Loam, Well-drained
Best planting months
Seasonal care
Bloom season. New foliage emerges. Good planting window.
Bloom season.
Bloom season. Foliage may begin to change or drop.
Dormant — drops foliage.
Care essentials
Cleome thrives in full sun — at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. In NE Florida, give it the sunniest spot in the garden; insufficient light causes overly tall, floppy stems.
Water regularly until established, then reduce frequency — Cleome is moderately drought tolerant once settled in. Keep soil moist but never waterlogged; overwatering promotes root rot in Florida's hot, humid summers.
Plant in average, well-drained sandy or loamy soil. Cleome needs little fertilizer; amend the bed with compost at planting and avoid fast-release high-nitrogen fertilizers, which cause leggy growth.
Similar needs
Angelonia
Shares 6 of the same needs: full sun, moderate water, sandy, deer resistance, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Cosmos
Shares 6 of the same needs: full sun, moderate water, sandy, deer resistance, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Marigold
Shares 6 of the same needs: full sun, moderate water, sandy, deer resistance, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Salvia
Shares 6 of the same needs: full sun, moderate water, sandy, deer resistance, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Zinnia
Shares 6 of the same needs: full sun, moderate water, sandy, deer resistance, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Dianthus
Shares 6 of the same needs: full sun, moderate water, loam, deer resistance, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
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Common questions
Is Cleome a good plant for St. Augustine?
Cleome is a annual for Zone 9b coastal Florida gardens, reaching 3-6 feet × 1-2 feet.
Care information verified from
Last reviewed February 2026. Our care guidance comes from trusted horticulture sources and decades of helping St. Augustine gardeners. Conditions here can vary dramatically from one area to the next, so come ask us and we'll tailor it to your yard.