Cleome (Cleome gynandra | Spider Plant | Non-GMO)
A highly nutritious indigenous African leafy vegetable valued for its tender leaves, drought tolerance, and excellent regrowth ability. Popular throughout Zambia for traditional dishes, Cleome is well suited to both home gardens and commercial vegetable production.
Days to first harvest: 30-45 days from sowing
Optimal temperature: 20°C-32°C – thrives in Zambia’s warm climate
Lifespan: Annual, but can provide multiple harvests through repeated leaf picking
Sunlight: Full sun, minimum 6-8 hours daily
Soil: Well-draining, fertile loam or sandy-loam soil with a pH of 5.5-7.5
Spacing: 20-30 cm between plants, with rows 40-60 cm apart
Germination: 7-21 days. Seeds germinate best in warm soil and may benefit from light watering to maintain moisture during establishment
Plants produce abundant nutritious leaves rich in vitamins and minerals. Harvest young leaves and tender shoots regularly to encourage continuous growth and higher yields. Frequent picking helps maintain leaf quality and delays flowering.
Yields will vary depending on soil quality, rainfall, irrigation, and farm management practices.
