About
Cleome houtteana is a robust annual that can reach heights of up to 1.5 meters. It features large, dark green, palmate leaves that are both aromatic and sticky, growing along spiny stems. In summer, the plant produces fragrant flowers in white, pink, or purple, arranged in broad terminal spikes.
About the genus
Cleome are annual plants characterized by upright stems that support palmately divided foliage. They produce terminal racemes featuring flowers with four petals and prominent stamens.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H2
Plant details
- Plant type
- Annual Biennial
- Habit
- Bushy, Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 1-1.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 1 year
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Architectural, Sub-tropical
- Native to
- S America
- Fragrance
- Flower, Foliage
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Best grown in well-drained soil in a warm, sunny spot
- Pruning
- Deadhead to prolong flowering and prevent self-seeding
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to aphids on young growth
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free