Cleome

Basic Information

Seed Number

201

Seed Name

Cleome

Variety

Color Fountain Mix

Category

Flower

Plant Family

Cleomaceae

Plant Type

Spider flower (Tarenaya hassleriana; syn. Cleome hassleriana)

Planting Method

Direct Sow or Transplant

Seed Status

In Seed Bank

Created

2026-08-14 00:50:34

Updated

2026-08-19 15:35:29

Planting Information

Start Planting Date

Apr 7

Last Recommended Planting Date

Jun 15

Plantable Months

April, May, June

Indoor Start

Apr 7 – Apr 21

Direct Sow

May 6 – Jun 15

Transplant

May 6 – Jun 15

Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost

4 weeks

Transplant Weeks After Frost

0 weeks

Germination Days

10–14 days

Harvest/Maturity

Not recorded

Succession Planting

Not recorded

Growing Conditions

Ideal Soil Temperature

Not recorded

Planting Depth

1/16 in

Plant Spacing

18-24 in

Row Spacing

Not recorded

Thin-To Spacing

18-24 in

Sun Requirements

Full sun

Water Needs

Do not overwater; established plants tolerate relatively dry conditions

Soil Preference

Well-drained soil

Minimum Container Size

but use a large/heavy container for tall plants

Plant Height

36-72 in

Perennial/Biennial Status

Annual

Container Friendly

No

Trellis/Support Needed

No

Frost Tolerant

No

Heat Tolerant

Yes

Drought Tolerant

Yes

Pollinator Friendly

Yes

Medicinal

No

Garden Uses

Companion Planting

Storage

Seed Source/Brand

Rohrer Seeds; MSU Extension

Packet Year

Not recorded

Quantity Notes

Not recorded

Purchase Date

Not recorded

Expiration Year

Not recorded

Storage Box

Not recorded

Container

Not recorded

Envelope

Not recorded

Row

Not recorded

Slot

Not recorded

Storage Notes

Not recorded

Notes

Original Planting Method: Start indoors 2–4 weeks before last frost or direct sow after frost
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: Transplant/direct sow about May 15 – Jul 10
Germination Time: About 10–14 days
Days to Harvest / Bloom: About 70–90 days to bloom
Container Friendly: Yes, but use a large/heavy container for tall plants
Pollinator Friendly: Yes; attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds
Medicinal / Herbal Use: Ornamental; no medicinal use listed here
Perennial?: No; annual
Succession / Reusable Notes: A second sowing 2–3 weeks later can extend bloom; allow some seed heads to mature for self-seeding if desired.
Zone 6B Notes: Plant outside after frost. Cleome handles summer heat well once established.
Companion Plants: Zinnias, cosmos, sunflowers and other pollinator flowers
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Tall stems may need support in wind. Plants can self-seed; sap/stems may irritate sensitive skin.
Sources: Rohrer Seeds: https://rohrerseeds.com/products/color-fountain-mix-cleome | MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/garden_planning_calendar

[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT START]]
Zone 6B: Start indoors 2-4 weeks before May 5 or direct sow after frost. Cleome thrives during warm Zone 6B summers.
Germination: Seed requires light to germinate and should be surface sown or covered by no more than about 1/16 inch of soil.
Harvest: For cut flowers, harvest when buds remain closed but have begun showing color. Removing spent blooms encourages further flowering.
Seed Saving: Allow the long seedpods to mature and dry. Color Fountain Mix contains multiple colors, so saved seed may vary.
Special Care: Color Fountain Mix produces white, pink, rose and violet flowers and attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.
Research Source: Rohrer Seeds — https://rohrerseeds.com/products/color-fountain-mix-cleome — exact Color Fountain Mix identity, Tarenaya hassleriana name, annual habit, 10-14 day germination, 1/16-inch depth, 18-24 inch spacing, 36-72 inch height, heat and drought tolerance, pollinator value and harvest timing
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]