Cleome is one of those genera that instantly earns its “spider flower” nickname. Most species carry airy, open blooms with whiskery, extended stamens that splay out like delicate legs, giving each flower a lively, almost firework-like look. The genus sits in the family Cleomaceae (once grouped with capers but now recognised as closer to mustards) and includes roughly 170 species of herbs and shrubs spread across warm regions of Africa, Asia, and the Americas.

In southern Africa, Cleome is a classic summer-rainfall wildflower group: many species pop up after good rains on disturbed ground, sandy flats, rocky grassland, or savanna edges. Their quick growing habit, long flowering season, and strong nectar/pollen production make them brilliant “ecosystem helpers,” pulling in bees, butterflies, and other pollinators when the veld is alive. Several species are also used traditionally as leafy vegetables or medicinal plants elsewhere in Africa, while others have become beloved ornamentals worldwide.

For gardeners, Cleome offers a mix of indigenous charm and cottage-garden drama: tall spires, palmate leaves, and flowers ranging from soft lilac and magenta to bright yellow. Whether you’re building a water-wise indigenous meadow, boosting pollinators in a food garden, or simply wanting that airy “wild elegance” in a sunny bed, spider flowers are generous, tough companions.

Cleome conrathii

For collectors of rare indigenous blooms, Cleome conrathii is a standout. It’s a delicately built spider flower with a refined, almost “miniature orchid” feel — perfect for wildflower beds, rock-garden fringes, or any sunny spot where you want something unusual yet distinctly South African.

This species is endemic to South Africa, recorded mainly from Limpopo, Gauteng, Mpumalanga and North West, where it grows in summer-rainfall grassland and savanna settings. It’s an herbaceous plant with the classic Cleome look: slender stems, narrow leaves, and flowers held on fine stalks above the foliage.

Flowers are typically in soft lilac-pink shades with long, fine stamens that curl and radiate from the centre, giving that signature spider-like silhouette. In the veld it blooms in the warm season after rains, usually from late spring into summer, and then forms slim pods full of seed. It’s an ideal species to grow for conservation-minded gardeners and seed savers who enjoy nurturing local endemics.

Cleome conrathii — sowing notes (SA endemic; stony quartzite slopes)

A South African endemic found on stony quartzite slopes and red sandy soils in grassland/savanna.

That habitat tells you the recipe: sharp drainage, full sun, and summer warmth. Sow from October to early December in inland summer-rainfall zones.

Sow shallowly with a light cover (1–2 mm). As with many indigenous Cleomes, avoid strong light directly on seed during germination.

Keep moist but never wet; a sandy mix helps prevent damping-off.

In highveld gardens, start in trays once daytime temps are reliably above ~20°C, then plant out into gritty beds. In coastal winter-rainfall zones (e.g., Cape Town), this species can struggle unless grown in a warm, sheltered summer microclimate.