Annual
Cleome
Cleome hassleriana
Proven Winners® varieties
Varieties We Carry
Rosalita, PWCleome hassleriana
Sizes & Pricing
1 galProven WinnersFrom$7.95
Fresh this week. Last restocked Mar 4.
LightFull Sun
WaterModerate
Mature size3-6 feet × 1-2 feet
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
Recommended forZone 9b · St. Augustine, FL
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This monthGood windowOther 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
Light
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
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.
Soil & Fertilizer
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.
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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.