Spider Flower Plant Care

Spider Flower (Cleome spinosa) belongs to the Cleomaceae family within the Cleome genus. Spider Flower is native to the New World Tropics, and has been introduced to the United States, tropical Africa, the Indian Subcontinent, Vietnam, New Caledonia, and Korea. Spider Flower is also known as Grandmother's Hair, Spider Plant.

Spider Flower displays an upright, branching annual growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Spider Flower produces showy clusters of pink, purple, or white flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Cleome spinosa 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.

Spider Flower thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Cleome spinosa grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Spider Flower prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Spider Flower to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Spider Flower 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.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

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.

Spider Flower can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to cleome houtteana plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Spider Flower 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.

Spider Flower grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Spider Flower is native to the New World Tropics, and has been introduced to the United States, tropical Africa, the Indian Subcontinent, Vietnam, New Caledonia, and Korea. In cooler regions, grow Spider Flower as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.