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 kalachariensis

If you want a truly desert-tough spider flower with a fresh, sunny palette, Cleome kalachariensis is a brilliant pick. Its bright yellow blooms are a striking change from the more common pink-mauve Cleomes, and they light up dry gardens in a very “Kalahari wildflower” way.

This is an indigenous Kalahari-region species, naturally associated with sandy, arid to semi-arid landscapes of southern Africa, including parts of the Northern Cape and neighbouring Kalahari areas. It grows as a warm-season herb, appearing with summer moisture and handling intense sun and lean soils with ease.

The flowers are golden yellow with fine, extended stamens and a light, open structure typical of the genus. In habitat it blooms in summer after rainfall events, then sets slim pods that mature quickly. In gardens it’s ideal for water-wise indigenous beds, sandy soils, and anyone wanting a rare yellow Cleome for contrast and pollinator value.

Cleome kalachariensis — sowing notes (Kalahari dune sand specialist)

A true Kalahari species, often on deep sand dunes and sandy formations.
So, give it sand — the more porous the mix, the happier it is. In SA, sow from late October through December once nights are warm.

Sow shallowly with a fine sand cover (1–2 mm). Darkness aids germination in many African Cleomes, so don’t leave seed fully exposed.

Keep moist until sprouted, then water more sparingly to mimic dune conditions.

This one is tailor-made for Karoo/Kalahari and sandy Highveld gardens. Along humid coasts, plant in very well-drained raised beds and avoid overwatering.