The ghastly name doesn't do justice to her elegant appearance. In fact, the annual spider flower enriches the summer garden with fragrant flower clusters and a bushy, branched, majestic silhouette. The overly long stamens, which are reminiscent of spider legs from a distance, give the flower clouds an extravagant look. The isolated thorns in no way detract from the picturesque Cleome. Here you can read concrete answers to frequently asked questions about successful cultivation.

The spider flower dresses in pink to white flowers

Plant spider flower correctly

The rise of the thermometer to clearly and permanently above 14 degrees Celsius signals the start of the planting season for the spider plant. Before you start preparing the soil in the sunny, warm spot, soak the potted root ball in water. If the Cleome does not function as a solitaire, but sets decorative accents as a group, please create the appropriate number of planting pits at a distance of 30-40 cm. One third of the excavation is optimized with compost and horn shavings (€32.93). Plant the now potted spider flower so deep that the soil reaches down to the lower pair of leaves in order to water generously.

care tips

Its floral opulence belies the low demands. In truth, the spider plant is so humble that it makes gardening life easy even for beginners. How to care for a Tarenaya hassleriana professionally:

  • Water plentifully and regularly until the soil stops absorbing water
  • Only water again when the substrate has dried
  • Fertilize weekly from July to October or apply a long-term fertilizer every 3 months
  • Regularly cut off the withered flowers on non-sterile varieties

If you leave a few withered flowers in the bed in summer, the spider flower will take care of the propagation by self-sowing. With the beginning of the cold season, the plants die and are disposed of in the compost.

Which location is suitable?

With a view to its South American origin, only a full sun, warm and wind-protected location is suitable. In front of the south wall of the house, along the garden fence or as a backdrop plant in a sunny perennial bed, the spider plant creates floral abundance where other plants would languish. The soil should be correspondingly warm, rich in nutrients, humic and well drained.

The right planting distance

The majestic appearance falls by the wayside in tight quarters. Therefore, give a spider plant enough space to develop unhindered. With a planting distance of 30 cm for the medium-sized varieties and 40 cm for the large beauties, you are exactly right. In the bucket or balcony box, reduce these values by 5-8 cm.

What soil does the plant need?

The spider plant once again proves its undemanding frugality in terms of soil conditions. The temperamental summer flower thrives in any good garden soil that is humus-rich, fresh and moist and rich in nutrients. The decision for the suitable pot substrate is therefore easy, because commercially available potting soil with a low peat content easily meets the expectations. If in doubt, add some sand or perlite (37.51€) for best permeability.

What is the best planting time?

For the spider plant, the start of the planting season is not based on a calendar date. Instead, the thermometer determines when the outdoor season begins for a Cleome. Only put the summer flower in the bed or on the balcony when the temperature has permanently exceeded the 14-degree mark. Experience has shown that the weather leveled off at this warm level at the end of May/beginning of June.

When is flowering time?

Three to four weeks after planting, the spider plant unfolds its orchid-like flowers with the distinctive stamens. Where the light and temperature conditions are right, the colorful spectacle extends from July to October. Hobby gardeners with little time will be pleased to note that the red and white varieties Senorita Rosalita (Fesche Fanny) do not require time-consuming cleaning of wilted flowers. On all other varieties, please cut off faded heads regularly so that new flowers thrive instead of the energy-sapping seed heads.

Properly cut spider flower

The pruning measures on a spider plant are limited to the continuous removal of withered flowers. Your effort will be rewarded with a tireless bloom from July to October. Otherwise, a cleome forms the capsule fruits, which is at the expense of new flowers. The only exceptions are the two sterile varieties Senorita Rosalita and Senorita Blanca. There is no need for pruning here, as no seed heads develop here. Since the taut, upright summer beauties are ideal for the vase, cut off the freshly blossomed stems a hand's breadth above the ground. As long as one or two leaves remain on the plant, it will sprout again.

Water spider flower

The spider plant evaporates moisture daily through its dense foliage and blossoms in a sunny spot. Regular watering compensates for this loss of water so that drought stress does not occur. Please pour the water directly onto the root disc until the soil no longer absorbs moisture. On potted flowers, the first drops in the saucer signal that the current water requirement has been met. On hot summer days, it can often be the case that you water your Cleome in the bucket or balcony box twice a day - in the early morning and in the evening.

Fertilize spider flower properly

Within 4 weeks, the nutrient reserves that a spider plant received during planting are used up. Now it is a matter of a regular application of fertilizer so that the magnificent summer flower does not run out of energy. From July until the end of the flowering period, please give a weekly liquid fertilizer for flowering plants with a dosage of 2 grams per liter of irrigation water. Alternatively, a Cleome receives a slow-release fertilizer such as Osmocote in July and September. Furthermore, a mulch layer of leaves or grass clippings provides a permanent supply of nutrients that are processed by busy soil organisms for the roots.

hibernate

In view of its pronounced sensitivity to cold, there are no prospects for a healthy winter for the spider plant. The minimum temperature of 14 degrees Celsius nips ambitious plans in this regard in the bud. Instead, simply collect the capsule fruits to use the seeds for propagation.
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Propagating spider flower

If you leave a few withered flowers in the bed, the spider plant will produce capsule fruits and sow themselves. In order to steer the propagation in the desired direction, you can collect these seeds, dry them and keep them cool until next spring. In March, sow the seeds in small pots or a tray. Sieve the light germs up to a maximum of 5 mm high with sand or vermiculite and moisten with a fine spray. Germination takes 3 weeks in a partially shaded window seat at temperatures of 18-20 degrees Celsius. Please note that germination will not occur at temperatures below 14 degrees. Before planting out the young Cleome at the end of May/beginning of June, we recommend an 8-day hardening period on the balcony to gradually acclimate them to the sun and fresh air.

spider flower in pot

With its extravagant flowers and proud posture, the spider plant attracts everyone's attention on the balcony and terrace. How good that the South American summer beauty proves to be just as undemanding in pot culture as in the bed. We have summarized all the important criteria for you here:

  • Shards of pottery or grit above the floor opening act as protection against waterlogging
  • Enrich peat-poor potting soil with perlite, lava granules (€13.99) or pumice for good permeability
  • Water regularly when the substrate has dried on the surface
  • Fertilize weekly from July to October or apply a depot fertilizer

If wilted flowers are trimmed every few days, the Cleome will not invest its energy in growing seed heads, but will tirelessly produce new flowers.

Is spider flower poisonous?

Their botanical assignment to the cruciferous plants draws our attention, because these plants are usually poisonous. Unfortunately, the spider plant is no exception. The toxic alkaloids and glycosides are concentrated in the seeds, but are also found in the leaves and shoots. The sterile varieties Senorita Rosalita and Senorita Blanca are therefore preferable for cultivation in the family garden, as the questionable capsule fruits do not develop here. Nevertheless, wear gloves for all planting and care work, as the plant sap can cause allergic reactions on skin contact.
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Spider flower does not bloom

When a spider plant refuses to flower, one or more factors arouse its displeasure. Therefore, put the framework conditions to the test in order to take possible improvement measures. We have compiled the most common causes with tips on how to remedy them for you here:

  • Lack of light: Place the flower in full sun
  • Waterlogging: only water when the soil surface has dried; Transplant potted flowers into dry substrate
  • Nutrient deficiency: Add liquid fertilizer to the irrigation water weekly from July to October

By far the most common reason for the lack of flowering is cold. As long as summer denies us warm temperatures of more than 14 degrees Celsius, you will look in vain for the enchanting flowers on a Cleome. In this case, continue the care program as planned. As soon as the mercury column rises, the spider flower puts on its blossom dress.

Beautiful varieties

  • Helen Campbell: Majestic spider plant with white, fragrant flowers; the ideal backdrop plant; 120 cm
  • Cherry Queen: Elegant variety that surprises with clusters of cherry red flowers; very pretty as a cut flower; 100-120cm
  • Spider: A splendid mix for a colorful flower bed, in front of fences and in pots in white, rose and pink; 80-90cm
  • Senorita Rosalita: Award-winning Cleome with pink-purple, orchid-like flowers for borders and balconies; 50-60cm
  • Senorita Blanca: The white flowering counterpart to Rosalita, both of which harmonize perfectly; 50-60cm

Category:

Herbs