Spider flower Cleome hassleriana 'Violet Queen'

Water

Spider flowers prefer even moisture; however, they are relatively drought tolerant once established. For optimal growth, water the plants deeply about once a week, providing at least one inch of water. During hot and dry periods, increase the watering frequency to every 3-4 days. If you are using a container for the spider flower, ensure that the top inch of soil is dry before watering again, usually requiring about one to two gallons per week, depending on the container size and environmental conditions. Avoid overhead watering to reduce the risk of foliar diseases.

Light

Spider flowers thrive best in full sunlight, receiving at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. They can tolerate partial shade, but too little light can lead to leggy plants with fewer blooms. The ideal spot for a spider flower is in a sunny garden bed or border that is sheltered from strong winds, ensuring they get ample light while also being protected from potential damage.

Temperature

Spider flowers are generally heat-tolerant and can survive in temperatures as high as 90 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and can tolerate a minimum nighttime temperature of around 60 degrees Fahrenheit. They thrive in temperatures ranging from 70 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Extreme cold or frost is detrimental, so avoid planting before the last expected frost date and provide protection if unexpected cold snaps occur.

Pruning

Pruning spider flowers is not usually necessary, but deadheading, or removing spent blooms, can encourage further blooming and prevent self-seeding if you don't want them to spread. As the season progresses, reduce deadheading if you'd like the plant to self-seed for the next year. The best time for any necessary pruning is in the late winter or early spring before new growth begins, to shape the plant or remove any dead stems.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

The Spider Flower prefers well-draining soil with a mixture of loam and sand to promote good drainage and aeration. Incorporating compost can enhance fertility. A soil pH between 6.0 and 7.5 is ideal for 'Violet Queen'.

Repotting

Spider Flowers are typically grown as annuals, so repotting is often unnecessary. If growth is vigorous or the plant is kept over winter, repot every 1-2 years using fresh soil mix.

Humidity & Misting

'Violet Queen' Spider Flower tolerates a wide range of humidity levels but performs best with moderate ambient humidity, avoiding excessively dry or damp conditions.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Provide bright light, well-draining soil, and moderate water.

• Outdoor

  Full sun to partial shade, fertile well-drained soil, spaced 18" apart.

• Hardiness zone

  2-11 USDA

Life cycle

The life of Cleome hassleriana 'Violet Queen', commonly known as Spider Flower, begins with the germination of seeds, which typically occurs in early spring when soil temperatures warm. After germination, seedlings emerge and the plant enters a vegetative growth stage, characterized by the development of its distinctive palmate leaves. As the plant matures, it enters the flowering stage in early to mid-summer, producing tall spikes topped with clusters of violet flowers that attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. Following pollination, the plant produces fruit in the form of elongated seed pods, which mature and eventually split open to release seeds. In the final stage of its annual life cycle, the Spider Flower plant dies with the arrival of the first frost, completing its cycle as the dropped seeds hold the potential to germinate the following spring. Since Cleome hassleriana 'Violet Queen' is typically an annual, this life cycle repeats annually with new plants growing from the seeds produced by the previous generation.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring to Summer

• Cleome hassleriana 'Violet Queen', commonly known as spider flower, is typically propagated by seed. The best time to sow spider flower seeds is in late winter to early spring, about 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost date. The popular method includes planting the seeds indoors in a seed starting mix, just barely covering them with soil as they require light to germinate. Seeds should be kept at a temperature around 70 to 75°F (21 to 24°C) and typically germinate within 10 to 14 days. Once seedlings have developed and the danger of frost has passed, they can be transplanted outdoors to a location with full sun and well-draining soil. Spider flower does not commonly undergo other forms of propagation such as cuttings or division because it reliably grows from seeds and tends to be an annual plant in most climates.