How to Grow Spider Leg
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Spider Leg
Cleome hassleriana
flowerSpider Leg, also known as Spider Flower, is an annual ornamental plant prized for its distinctive spidery flower clusters with long, delicate stamens that give it its common name. The plant grows tall and airy with palmately lobed leaves and produces fragrant flowers in white, pink, or purple. It's a striking addition to cottage gardens and cut flower arrangements.
When should you plant Spider Leg in your zone?
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Example Spider Leg timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Spider Leg
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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First Spider Leg blooms
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Spider Leg dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-11 as an annual; reseeds readily in warm climates
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Germination
1-2 weeksSeeds sprout with emerging cotyledons and thin primary leaves.
Keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Germination occurs in 7-14 days at 70-75°F. Provide bright light to prevent leggy seedlings.
Seedling & Vegetative
3-4 weeksYoung plants develop true leaves and a bushy form with multiple stems.
Thin seedlings to proper spacing. Water consistently. Once plants have 3-4 sets of true leaves, pinch tips to encourage branching.
Pre-flowering
2-3 weeksPlant reaches mature height (2-4 feet) with full foliage and first flower buds appearing.
Support tall varieties with stakes if needed. Reduce nitrogen fertilizer to avoid excessive leaf growth. Maintain consistent watering.
Flowering
6-10 weeksDistinctive spidery flower clusters with long stamens bloom continuously along the stems; flowers are fragrant and attract pollinators.
Deadhead spent flowers to extend blooming. Light fertilizing with balanced or bloom-boosting fertilizer every 3-4 weeks. Water at soil level to prevent fungal issues.
Seed Production & End of Season
Variable; until first hard frostAs temperatures cool or day length shortens, flowering decreases. Seed pods develop. Plant may reseed naturally.
Allow some flowers to go to seed if you want self-seeding next year. Remove spent plants after frost in cold climates. In warm areas, may continue flowering into fall.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs
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Mist foliage regularly to increase humidity; use miticide if severe; release predatory mites
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Spray with water to dislodge; use insecticidal soap or neem oil for heavy infestations
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and
Handpick; use slug traps or barriers; encourage ground beetles and other predators
Uses
Edible Flowers
CulinarySpider Flower petals are edible and can be used as a decorative garnish in salads and desserts, adding a mild peppery flavor. [source]
Cut Flowers & Arrangements
CraftThe distinctive, long-lasting spidery flower clusters are prized in fresh and dried flower arrangements, adding dramatic texture and visual interest. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifeHighly attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, making it an excellent choice for supporting pollinators and creating wildlife-friendly gardens. [source]
Cottage Garden & Ornamental Landscaping
HouseholdTall, airy form and continuous blooms make Spider Flower ideal for adding structure and color to cottage gardens, borders, and informal plantings throughout summer and fall. [source]
Traditional Use
MedicinalIn traditional medicine systems, parts of Cleome have been used to address inflammation and other conditions, though modern scientific validation is limited. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Cut flowers in early morning for longest vase life (7-10 days). Flowers are ready when the lower flowers on the spike are just opening. Deadhead regularly to promote continuous blooming throughout the season. For seeds, allow flower spikes to dry on the plant, then collect brown seed pods and dry further indoors before storing.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Spider Flower earned its common name from the long, prominent stamens that extend well beyond the petals, creating a delicate, spidery appearance that resembles a spider with outstretched legs.
- 🌱 The plant is native to South America and Africa, and it reseeds so readily in warm climates that it can become naturalized, returning year after year without replanting.
- 🌱 Spider Flower blooms are fragrant and emit a distinctive sweet scent, especially in the evening, which helps attract nocturnal pollinators like night-flying insects.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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