Spider flower

Cleome hassleriana

Tall South American annual with rounded heads of white, pink, or magenta flowers with long protruding stamens that give the spidery appearance and the common name. Continuous flowering from mid-summer to first frost.

Hardiness ratings

Spider flower hardiness across the four zone systems
SystemRatingTemperature rangeHow to read it
USDA hardiness zone Zone 2–11 −45.6 °C to 10 °C Zones where it can be grown as an annual — not a frost-tolerance rating
RHS hardiness rating H2 1 °C to 5 °C Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance
Canadian plant hardiness zone Zone 2–9 −40 °C and warmer Zones where it can be grown as an annual — not a frost-tolerance rating
Australian (ANBG) zone Zone 1–7 −15 °C and warmer Zones where it can be grown as an annual — not a frost-tolerance rating

As a tender annual, Spider flower doesn't overwinter — the zone range shows where the growing season supports it. See the RHS rating for its actual cold tolerance.

Growing notes

  • Plant in sunny mid-border positions — vertical accent at 1–1.5 m tall, continuous flowering until first frost
  • Outstanding nectar source for hummingbirds, hawk-moths, and bumblebees, especially in the evening when the flowers are most fragrant
  • Self-seeds where the climate suits, perpetuating itself once established
  • Stems and seed pods carry small thorns — handle with gloves

Categories

Related plants

Cross-check Spider flower against your zones

Reference

Spider flower on Wikipedia