Queen Mix Cleome Seeds

Cleome, Queen Mix - 100 Seeds

Cleome hassleriana ‘Queen Mix’ (spider flower, Queen Mix cleome) is an annual tender plant prized for its tall, airy spires of nectar‑rich blooms in mixed shades of pinks, whites, and purples and its distinctive, spidery stamens and foliage. Native to South America, cleome adds vertical interest and a pollinator magnet to cottage borders, summer beds, and cutting gardens.

Grow cleome in full sun for best flower production and sturdy stems; it tolerates light afternoon shade but blooms more sparsely in shade. It prefers well‑drained soil from average loam to sandy mixes with moderate fertility—avoid waterlogged sites. A light side‑dressing of compost at planting and regular watering while establishing will encourage vigorous growth; avoid excessive high‑nitrogen feeding that can produce overly lush foliage.

Seeds are easy to start: sow indoors 4–6 weeks before the last frost or direct‑sow after danger of frost when soils have warmed. Seeds can be surface‑sown or covered lightly (they germinate with a little light to very shallow covering) and typically emerge in 7–14 days at warm temperatures. No cold stratification is needed; succession sowing extends the bloom season.

‘Queen Mix’ commonly reaches about 3–5 feet (90–150 cm) tall with a spread of 18–24 inches (45–60 cm); space plants about 18–24 inches apart to allow airflow and room for the tall habit. As an annual it completes its life cycle in one season and may self‑sow in warm climates.

Cleome is excellent for fresh cutting—providing dramatic, long‑stemmed blooms for bouquets—and is highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. It is not typically used for pressing and only occasionally for dried arrangements, but it is valued for summer impact, vertical structure, and pollinator support.