Cleome Seeds (Heirloom)

The best heirloom cleome for garden beds, borders, and containers

Heirloom cleome, or Cleome hassleriana, has been a garden favorite since the 1800s. It is native to Paraguay, Argentina, Uruguay, and southern Brazil. This tender annual thrives in beds and borders, cottage gardens, butterfly gardens, and containers, and grows rapidly from seed. Heirloom cleome is also known as spider flower, spider weed, and bee plant.

Requirements for growing heirloom cleome

Heirloom cleome requires cold stratification prior to planting. Soak the seeds for one to two hours to achieve this. Drain the water with a paper towel and spread the seeds out in a single layer on the towel. Wrap a dry paper towel around the wet one and place everything in a sealed plastic bag to keep the seeds damp but not soggy. Refrigerate the bag for about a month before the day you want to plant them. If your seeds sprout before the month is through, remove them right away and plant them indoors until they are ready to be moved outside.

Sowing heirloom cleome seeds

After all threats of frost have passed, direct sow your seedlings or transplant them outdoors. In average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils, heirloom cleomes like full sun or light shade. Heirloom cleome seeds should be planted 1/8 inch deep and left uncovered. Plants should be three inches apart and rows should be 18 inches apart. After 21 to 25 days, plants started indoors can be transplanted.

When planting, incorporate a slow-release fertilizer or compost into the soil, or fertilize your established plants every six to eight weeks. If planted in a windy location, heirloom cleomes may need to be staked. When your plants reach about three inches in height, thin them down to 18 to 24 inches apart. Keep the soil moist, especially in hotter weather, until the plants have established themselves. Heirloom cleome blooms will organically reseed and appear in your garden seasonally for years after you've grown them.

Benefits of heirloom cleome plants

These beautiful blooms are both deer resistant and rabbit resistant. They also are well known for attracting pollinators!

For more information about planting, growing, and caring for heirloom cleome flower seed, see the Cleome Seeds Planting Guide.