Cleome seeds need cold stratification. Sow your seed in pots in moist soil. Put them, pot and all, into a ziploc bag and refrigerate for 2 weeks. Then take them out into the sunshine, keep them moist and watch them take off. They transplant well, but no need to wait over long to plant out. Two or three sets of true leaves will be enough. Of course, wait until you are past your frost free date. Once you get them to grow one year, they will reseed ever after. (The seed fall in the growing season, lay there all winter (cold stratification) and come up in the spring.)

Donna, I really appreciate your info. I am trying your method. Thanks.

I sowed them last Fall. At this time, they still have not come up. I have read some posts that they needed light to germinate. And some posts to just cover 1/4 in with soil. I have tried these also. I will try your method also, Donna. Thinking I may try scattering some on the soil. Hope something works for me because I really like these flowers!

Update on my cleomes! I have one cleome that has germinated at this point! Have some other sprouts but too small to tell if they are weeds yet! Don't know if it is from ones sowed in the Fall or this Spring.So excited!!

Send us some pictures when they bloom. Mine are still in the refrigerator and I will set them in the sun next Wed. and see what happens.

Hooray! Once you have even one plant growing in your garden, it will seed all over the place and you'll have all the volunteers you want from here on out. They transplant easily in the spring time.

My Cleomes started popping up 6 days after taking out of the refrigerator and putting outside. I'm really excited about it! The cold stratification worked, thanks Donnabaskets.