Cleome houtteana

RHS Plant Profile
spider flower

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Other common names

electric light plant, mosquito plant, West Indian spider flower, Medusa's head, spider plant, spiderwort

Synonyms

Cleome hassleriana
Cleome spinosa misapplied

Annual Biennial

A tall, upright annual to 1.5m with large, palmate, dark green leaves (which are aromatic and sticky) on spiny stems. Strongly scented, white, pink or purple flowers are produced in broad, terminal spikes in 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

Fragrance Flower Foliage
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Cleomaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy, 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
Plant Range
S America

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

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Architectural
  • Sub-tropical
  • Bedding
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Deadhead to prolong flowering and prevent self-seeding

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids on young growth

Diseases

Generally disease-free