Caper Care
Capparis spinosa
A Mediterranean shrub that grows in dry, stony and calcareous soils and produces large white-purple flowers in summer. The flower buds are used as pickles (capers); it needs almost no water.
Monthly care calendar
Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.
- Frost risk: In hard and prolonged frosts, cover the root zone with mulch or dry leaves; also protect young plants. It is damaged below about -8 °C.
- Pruning: While dormant, remove dry, broken, crossing and inward-growing branches so that air and light reach the inside of the crown. At the end of winter, cut all branches back, leaving 5-10 cm; the flowers open on this year's shoots.
- Frost risk: In hard and prolonged frosts, cover the root zone with mulch or dry leaves; also protect young plants. It is damaged below about -8 °C.
- Watering: Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during its first year, as its root system is still shallow.
- General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.
- Watering: Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during its first year, as its root system is still shallow.
- General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.
- General care: Flowering begins. Drainage is vital for this plant. In heavy soil that holds water, plant it on a raised mound or berm 20-30 cm high, so the root collar stays above the surrounding soil level.
- Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
- General care: Flowering continues.
- Watering: In midsummer, deep watering every 15-20 days is enough. Established plants (over 2 years old) do not need watering in most years. Water the area around the roots to a depth of 15-20 cm.
- General care: Flowering continues.
- Watering: In midsummer, deep watering every 15-20 days is enough. Established plants (over 2 years old) do not need watering in most years. Water the area around the roots to a depth of 15-20 cm.
- General care: Flowering continues.
- Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
- General care: In winter precipitation, make sure water does not collect in the root zone; for this plant, drainage is more critical than watering. Collect fallen leaves; many disease agents and pests overwinter under the leaves.
- Frost risk: In hard and prolonged frosts, cover the root zone with mulch or dry leaves; also protect young plants. It is damaged below about -8 °C.
The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.
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