How to Reseed Cleome Flowers

Cleome is sometimes called the spider flower because of the way the dried seed pods dangle down, resembling spider legs. Each plant reaches approximately 2 to 4 feet in height and has a cluster of pink flowers at the top of the flower stalk. A warm season annual that survives minor frost, cleome readily self-seeds itself in the garden. Encouraging reseeding allows new cleome plants to grow in each year at no additional cost for fresh annuals.

Envelope
Compost
Mulch

Instructions

- 1
  Allow the flowers to wither and die off and the seed pods to form. Pick the pods once they begin to dry but before they open.
- 2
  Place the pods in an envelope and label with the cleome variety and harvest year. Store in a cool, dry place until spring.
- 3
  Prepare the garden bed once the last expected spring frost date in your area is past. Remove all dead plant matter and lay a 3 inch layer of fresh compost over the bed. Till it in to a 10 inch depth.
- 4
  Open the envelope and remove the pods. Break open any pods that haven't already split on their own and remove the seeds.
- 5
  Sow seeds 2 inches apart and ¼ inch deep in the soil. Water thoroughly after planting until the bed is evenly moist but not soaked.
- 6
  Water as needed to keep the soil moist, providing approximately 1 to 2 inches of water a week. Apply a 1 inch layer of organic mulch over the bed once seedlings sprout, approximately 7 to 14 days after sowing, to preserve soil moisture.

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