Cleome houtteana aka Deepika

Taxonomy

Cleome houtteana, also known as Cleome hassleriana or spider flower, is a tall, spiky plant with spirally arranged palmately compound leaves consisting of five or seven leaflets. The plant is native to southern South America but has been introduced to South Asia, including Bangladesh and India. It produces scented flowers of pink, purple, or white with four petals and six long stamens, blooming from late spring to early fall. The plant re-seeds freely but is not considered invasive. In cultivation, numerous cultivars have been selected for flower color and other attributes, such as the "Queen" series, which includes 'Violet Queen', 'Rose Queen', and 'White Queen'. The cultivar 'Helen Campbell' has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. Cleome houtteana prefers well-drained soil with consistent moisture and direct sunlight, but it can tolerate light shade. As a houseplant, it needs regular watering and direct light. It belongs to the Cleome genus and is native to Brazil to Northern Argentina. Some plants in cultivation have been misidentified as Cleome arborea, C. pungens, or C. spinosa.

Common names

Deepika, Cleome Hassleriana, Tarenaya Hassleriana, Spider Flower, Spider Plant

How to care for Deepika

Difficulty

Caring for Deepika is a breeze, as it is highly adaptable and forgiving to minor neglect.

Water

Deepika should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Deepika loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Deepika requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Cleome Hassleriana is always in the right place to thrive.

Toxicity

Ploi lacks confirmed information on the toxicity of this plant. If you, a relative, or your pet accidentally consume plant material with unknown toxicity, it's best to consult a medical expert.

Growth-pattern

New growth will sprout from the top of the Deepika as it grows vertically.


More info:
Wikipedia