Cleome spinosa Jacq.

Save a plant

Where do you want to save Cleome spinosa Jacq.?

Plants I own
Wishlist
Go to My Plants

Synonyms

Tarenaya spinosa
Cleome pungens

Annual Biennial

An erect, branched annual with hairy, spiny stems up to 1.5m tall. Lower leaves are long-stalked with 5-7 lance-shaped leaflets up to 9cm long and spiny beneath. Narrow-petalled white to pink flowers with protruding stamens are arranged in terminal racemes and borne mid- to late summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1 year
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H2

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Cleomaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus
Cleome are annuals with erect stems bearing palmately divided leaves, and terminal racemes of 4-petalled flowers with conspicuous stamens
Name Status
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Best grown in well-drained soil in a warm, sunny spot

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Architectural
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Sub-tropical
  • Bedding
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Deadhead to prolong flowering and prevent self-seeding

Pests

Young plants may be susceptible to aphids

Diseases

Generally disease-free