Spider flowers (Cleome) are strictly annuals, which means they’re here for a good time, not a long time! Since they only bloom for one season, they won’t survive a frosty winter. If you want these stunning blooms back in your garden next year, you’ll need to plan ahead.
Harvesting Your Seeds
As the days get shorter in October, the spider flower’s blooming season comes to an end. This is usually the perfect time to harvest seeds. You’ll know they’re ready when they turn from a pale whitish color to a dark gray or black. If they aren’t quite there yet, let them ripen a bit longer before picking. Once harvested, let them dry out completely and store them in a cool, dry spot.
A Quick Safety Note
One thing to keep in mind: spider flower seeds are actually toxic. If you have little ones running around the garden, you’ll want to be extra careful to make sure nobody tries to snack on them, as they can cause some nasty stomach issues. If you want to play it safe, you can always skip the DIY harvesting and buy fresh seeds from your local garden center. Bonus: store-bought seeds are often ready to go without any extra prep!
Sowing and Growing
Here’s a fun fact: while the plants themselves hate the cold, the seeds are actually quite hardy! Since spider flowers produce a ton of seeds, you can often just let them drop and see if “volunteers” pop up on their own next spring.
If you’re starting them yourself, try putting your stored seeds in the fridge for a few days first—this little “cold snap” helps jumpstart germination. You can start your seeds indoors around February or March. Fill your starter pots with seed-starting mix and press the seeds in lightly. Don’t bury them deep! These guys are “light germinators,” meaning they need sunshine to wake up. You should see sprouts in about two to three weeks. Once the threat of frost has passed in May, your babies are ready to head out into the garden.
To wrap it all up:
- Spider flowers are not winter-hardy.
- However, their seeds can survive the winter outdoors.
- For the best results, start your seeds indoors for a head start on the season!
