Spider Flower Cleome Señorita Rosalita = 'Inncleosr' (PBR)
ABOUT
The Cleome Señorita Rosalita, often referred to as Spider Flower or Spider Plant, boasts a distinctive and attractive appearance. It is characterized by its unique clusters of flowers that sit atop long, thin stems. The blooms are vibrant pink with delicate petals that radiate around a central core, resembling a fireworks display in full bloom. The petals are complemented by long, protruding stamens that add to the spider-like appearance of the flowers. This plant also features lush, green foliage. The leaves are typically palmate, featuring multiple leaflets radiating from a central point, which adds to the texture and density of the plant's appearance. The Cleome Señorita Rosalita exudes a lush and tropical feel with its overall structure and flower arrangement, making it a popular choice for adding a splash of color and interest to gardens or landscapes.
About this plant
- Names
Synonyms
Spider Flower, Cleome, Senorita Rosalita Cleome.
Common names
Cleome 'Inncleosr' (PBR).
- Toxicity
To humans
The Spider Flower, which includes the 'Senorita Rosalita' variety, is generally not considered highly toxic to humans. In most cases, it does not contain potent toxins that would cause severe poisoning if ingested. However, like many plants, it can potentially cause mild upset stomach, nausea, or vomiting if ingested in large quantities. People with sensitive skin might also experience irritation upon handling the plant due to its fine hairs.
To pets
The Spider Flower is not known to be highly toxic to pets such as dogs and cats. Ingestion may lead to gastrointestinal discomfort, such as drooling, vomiting, or diarrhea, simply due to the ingestion of non-digestible plant material. However, it is always wise to prevent pets from eating any plants, as individual animals may react differently, and there could be a risk of a choking hazard or a more severe gastrointestinal blockage, especially with smaller pets.
- Characteristics
Life cycle
Annuals
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
4 feet (1.2 meters)
Spread
2 feet (0.6 meters)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
9
Native area
Americas
Benefits
- General Benefits
- Low Maintenance: 'Senorita Rosalita' requires minimal care once established, making it perfect for busy gardeners or those new to gardening.
- Drought Resistance: This cultivar has a good tolerance for dry conditions, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- No Deadheading Needed: Unlike other Cleome varieties, 'Senorita Rosalita' does not require deadheading to keep blooming throughout the season.
- Pest Resistant: It is less prone to spider mites and other pests that commonly affect the Cleome species.
- Thornless and Odorless: 'Senorita Rosalita' is free of the thorns and the pungent odor that characterizes some other Cleomes, making it more pleasant to handle and place in a garden.
- Continuous Blooming: This plant produces continuous pink flowers from early summer until frost without setting seed, ensuring long-lasting visual interest.
- Attracts Pollinators: The flowers attract beneficial pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, promoting biodiversity in the garden.
- Heat Tolerance: It can perform well even in the high summer temperatures, maintaining its blooms and foliage.
- Compact Growth: 'Senorita Rosalita' has a more compact and bushy growth habit, making it suitable for smaller spaces or as a border plant in larger garden designs.
- Versatile Use: This plant is great for mixed borders, containers, and as a specimen, offering flexibility in garden design and landscaping.
- Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
- Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
- Other Uses
- Cleome can be used as a natural pest deterrent in the garden, particularly for whiteflies and aphids due to its strong scent.
- In floral arrangements, the striking flowers and foliage of Cleome add height and an exotic touch to bouquets.
- As an educational tool, Cleome can be included in butterfly gardens to teach about pollinators, as it is attractive to butterflies.
- Cleome seeds can be harvested and used as a visual art medium, incorporating them into mosaics or textured art pieces.
- The plant can serve as a living fence or privacy screen in the garden due to its tall and bushy growth habit.
- Cleome is sometimes used in photography and film as a background plant to create a lush, tropical ambiance.
- In crafting, the dried seed pods from Cleome can be used to make unique, natural jewelry such as earrings or necklaces.
- It can be utilized in theme gardens, such as a moon garden, since the light-colored flowers of certain varieties stand out in the evening.
- The pollen from Cleome can also be collected by beekeepers and mixed with beeswax to make beeswax candles that have a natural fragrance.
- Cleome’s resilient nature allows it to be used for erosion control in areas that are difficult to plant and maintain.
Interesting Facts
- Feng Shui
The Spider Flower is not used in Feng Shui practice.
- Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Spider Flower is not used in astrology practice.
- Plant Symbolism
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- Uniqueness: The distinct appearance of Cleome, also known as spider flower, with its long, wispy stamens, represents uniqueness and standing out from the crowd.
- Elusiveness: The Cleome's tendency to open its flowers at dusk or on overcast days symbolizes elusiveness and the allure of what is just out of reach.
- Independence: As a plant that can grow in challenging conditions, the spider flower signifies independence and the ability to thrive in difficult situations.
- Beauty and Grace: With its rounded clusters of flowers and elegant silhouette, Cleome symbolizes beauty and grace, along with a soft, understated charm.
- Water
The Spider Flower, commonly known as Señorita Rosalita Cleome, should be watered thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, which typically happens once a week. During the summer months or in warmer climates, it may require more frequent watering. Ensure that the plant receives approximately 1 gallon of water at each watering session, allowing the moisture to penetrate deeply into the soil to encourage strong root growth. Be cautious not to waterlog the soil, as this can lead to root rot. Periods of rainfall may reduce the need for supplemental watering, so adjust your schedule accordingly to prevent overwatering.
- Light
Señorita Rosalita Cleome thrives best in full sun, needing at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Place the plant in a spot where it is exposed to unfiltered natural light for most of the day to ensure robust growth and abundant flowering. While it can tolerate some light shade, especially in the hottest parts of the day, full sun is ideal for optimal performance.
- Temperature
Señorita Rosalita Cleome prefers warm conditions and thrives best with temperatures between 70 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. It can tolerate minimum temperatures down to around 40 degrees Fahrenheit but may not survive frost or prolonged exposure to temperatures below this threshold. The optimal growth temperatures for this plant are in the warm range, avoiding extremes of cold or heat to maintain its health and flowering capacity.
- Pruning
Pruning Señorita Rosalita Cleome is generally not necessary as it is a self-cleaning plant that does not require deadheading to maintain its appearance or promote continuous flowering. However, if the plant becomes leggy or you wish to shape it, prune lightly during the growth season. Always use clean, sharp shears and prune sparingly to avoid stress on the plant.
- Cleaning
Not needed
- Soil
The best soil mix for Spider Flower (Cleome) is well-draining and fertile with some added organic matter, such as compost or peat moss. The ideal pH for Spider Flower should be slightly acidic to neutral, in the range of 6.0 to 7.0.
- Repotting
Spider Flower plants typically do not require frequent repotting and may seldom need it as they are often grown as annuals. However, if grown as perennials in containers, repot every 2-3 years or when noticeable root crowding occurs.
- Humidity & Misting
Spider Flower plants can tolerate a range of humidity levels, but they do best in moderate conditions. They do not require high humidity; ambient humidity levels found in most home environments are typically sufficient.
- Suitable locations
Indoor
Place Spider Flower in a sunny spot and ensure good air circulation.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun, allowing space for air circulation.
- Life cycle
The life cycle of the Spider Flower 'Senorita Rosalita' (Cleome 'Inncleosr') begins with seed germination in warm, moist soil conditions. Seedlings emerge, growing into sturdy plants that feature bushy, fast-growing foliage. As the plant matures, it develops tall stems topped with clusters of pink, fragrant flowers, which typically bloom from early summer until frost. After pollination, often by bees and butterflies, the flowers produce seed pods. These pods eventually dry and release seeds, completing the reproductive cycle. If unhindered by frost, the plant can continue to grow as a perennial in warmer climates, but in colder regions, it's grown as an annual and completes its life cycle within one growing season.
- Propogation
Propogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The most popular method for propagating the Spider Flower (Cleome Señorita Rosalita) is through seed sowing. Seeds should be sown in late winter to early spring, under cover with gentle heat to ensure germination, as this provides the seedlings adequate time to grow strong before transplanting. Sow the seeds at a depth of about 1/4 inch (6.35 mm) in a well-draining soil mix and keep the soil temperature around 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (21 to 24 degrees Celsius). It typically takes about 7 to 14 days for germination to occur. After the seedlings have developed their first set of true leaves and are large enough to handle, they can be transplanted into individual pots or thinned out to prevent overcrowding. It's important to acclimate the plants to outdoor conditions gradually before planting them out in their final location after the risk of frost has passed.