Longstalk Spiderflower Plant Care
Cleome longipes Lamb. ex DC.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Cleome longipes of the Capper family (Capparidaceae) is a shrub found in the dry tropics and rainforest clearings from Costa Rica to northern Peru. Its most interesting characteristic is its gynophore, which can be up to six inches in length bearing an equally long and very skinny seed pod.
Every 3–5 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Longstalk Spiderflower?
Water Longstalk Spiderflower every 3–5 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 4 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Longstalk Spiderflower Native To?
What Is the Longstalk Spiderflower?
Longstalk Spiderflower (Cleome longipes) belongs to the Cleomaceae family within the Cleome genus. Longstalk Spiderflower is native to the dry tropics and rainforest clearings from Costa Rica to northern Peru.
Longstalk Spiderflower displays an upright, branching annual growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Longstalk Spiderflower produces showy clusters of pink, purple, or white flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Longstalk Spiderflower?
Cleome longipes requires watering every 3–5 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 3–5 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Longstalk Spiderflower Need?
Longstalk Spiderflower thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Longstalk Spiderflower Prefer?
Cleome longipes grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Longstalk Spiderflower prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Longstalk Spiderflower?
Well-draining soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Longstalk Spiderflower to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Longstalk Spiderflower?
Feed Longstalk Spiderflower every 4 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 4 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Longstalk Spiderflower?
Repot annually in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Longstalk Spiderflower?
Longstalk Spiderflower can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to cleome houtteana plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Longstalk Spiderflower Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Longstalk Spiderflower, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Longstalk Spiderflower?
Longstalk Spiderflower is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Longstalk Spiderflower Need?
Longstalk Spiderflower grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Longstalk Spiderflower is native to the dry tropics and rainforest clearings from Costa Rica to northern Peru. In cooler regions, grow Longstalk Spiderflower as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Longstalk Spiderflower is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Cleome genus — compare its care with other Cleome species on PlantoScan.
Cleome is part of the Cleomaceae plant family — browse all Cleomaceae genera and species.
Longstalk Spiderflower thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Cleome Species
Other Cleome species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Cleome longipes Lamb. ex DC., family Cleomaceae (first published in Prodr. 1: 239 (1824)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Longstalk Spiderflower, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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