How to Grow Cleome? A Detailed Guide to Cultivation Methods

Summary You can choose a clay pot, tile pot or plastic pot with drainage holes for growing, then mix leaf mold and garden soil at a 1:1 ratio to make the potting soil, place the cleome in a spot with good light for care, and if the light is too strong, shade it promptly; the suitable growing temperature is 20-32°C, during cultivation the humidity should be kept between 65%-75%, and an appropriate amount of liquid fertilizer should be applied.

I. Cultivation Methods for Cleome

1. Choosing a Flower Pot

Cleome is a relatively easy plant to grow, and it is not very demanding about the flower pot; ordinary clay pots or tile pots can be used for growing, and if you do not have those, a plastic pot with drainage holes can also be used.

2. Preparing the Potting Soil

Cleome is not demanding about soil either; any loose soil with good drainage will do. When growing it in a pot, it is recommended to mix leaf mold and garden soil at a 1:1 ratio for cultivation.

3. Sufficient Light

Cleome loves sunlight and has slight shade tolerance. During cultivation, the cleome can be placed in a spot with good light for care; if the light is relatively strong, it needs to be shaded promptly.

4. Suitable Temperature

Cleome is relatively heat-tolerant, but it also fears cold. During cultivation, it needs to be kept in a warm environment with a temperature between 20-32°C, and during this period the temperature should not be allowed to drop below 15°C.

5. Keeping It Moist

Cleome is relatively drought-tolerant, but it grows better in moist potting soil, so during cultivation it should be watered promptly. In addition, cleome likes slightly humid air conditions, so try to keep the humidity between 65%-75%.

6. Reasonable Fertilizing

Cleome has relatively high fertilizer requirements. During the vigorous growing season, a light application of thin fertilizer is needed, which helps promote growth and flowering. Liquid fertilizer is recommended, as this kind of fertilizer makes it easier for the plant to absorb nutrients.

II. Morphological Characteristics of Cleome

1. Cleome is an annual herbaceous plant, with a plant height of up to 1 m, and the whole plant is covered with sticky hairs. Its stem is upright, with palmately compound leaves, having 5-7 leaflets, entire margins, long elliptic-lanceolate, the leaflets have short stalks, the common petiole is slender, and at the base there are 2 small hooked spines transformed from stipules.

2. The flowering period is from July to late autumn, with terminal racemes, 4 sepals equal in length to the petals, 4 petals, obovate with long claws, and flower colors including purple, white, pink, etc. There are 6 stamens, slender and about 2-3 times the length of the petals, purple or blue; the capsule is cylindrical, 5-6 cm long, with longitudinal stripes, and splits open after maturity.

3. The seeds are nearly smooth and light brown; the racemes are terminal, the petals have long claws, and the stamens are especially long, forming a spider-like flower cluster together with the petals. The flower color ranges from pale red or white to light purple, and there are nectar glands hidden inside the flower buds; when in full bloom it gives off a fragrance. The capsule is linear, the seeds are small and numerous, and when mature it can split open on its own and release the seeds.