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Spider-flower

Tarenaya houtteana

Found in gardens, disturbed areas, sandbars, riverbanks, persistent and self-seeding from cultivation as an ornamental. Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Florida edition What its natural habitat tells you

—
Not native

Not native to Florida. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 59%

Height
3–6 feet
Spread
1.5–2 feet
Light
Full sun, Partial shade
Soil moisture
Usually moist

At a glance

Life cycle
Annual
Bloom
June to November

Not yet recorded · Leaves

Recorded in 16 Florida counties.

Natural habitats

Places it grows wild. Not a planting requirement. Each habitat page lists the plants and wildlife also found there.

1 of 2

Roadsides, fields and disturbed ground

Ground opened by people: roadsides, old fields, pastures, fencerows and lots.

Streams, rivers and their banks

Flowing water and its banks, bars and rocky shoals.

All habitats

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

5CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including FL

Genus host records with ranges including FL · Cleome

  • Ascia monusteGreat Southern White
  • Glutophrissa drusillaFlorida White, Tropical White
  • Hellula phidilealisCabbage Budworm
  • Hellula rogatalisCabbage Webworm
  • Pontia protodiceCheckered White
Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)
—BeesSoutheastern regional records
—Specialist beesPollen specialists
—BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim
Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Cleomaceae
Hardiness
Zones 10a–11b
Flower color
Pink, purple or white

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope
Also known as

Cleome hassleriana; Cleome houtteana; Spider flower

Conservation status

Florida rankSNA
Global rankGNR
FL statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

Native alternatives

Find natives for your garden

Sources