Caper
Capparis spinosa · Capparaceae
📷 Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around caper and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous, light green
- Flowering
- May to July, white and pink flowers
- Adult size
- 1.5 m in height, spreading and bushy habit
- Growth
- Moderate
- Hardiness
- Frost-tender, to be grown in Mediterranean climate or in a pot under shelter
- Origin
- Mediterranean basin, Middle East and South Asia
- Soil type
- Well-draining, even poor or stony
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability medium.
Expert tips
The key tip
Capers love aridity and heat: in continental climates, shelter it behind a south or west-facing wall to benefit from thermal mass. In a pot (25–30 L), you control moisture better and can bring it indoors if harsh frosts threaten.
The common mistake
Planting it in cold climates without protection and overwatering; it dies off frozen or rotten before even producing.
The pro's trick
Grow it in a pot against a warm wall, mulch lightly in November with dry leaves: frost passes better that way.
Care
Watering
The caper bush is very tolerant of drought once established. Water moderately during the growing period (May to September), then reduce drastically in winter. Let the soil dry out between waterings. In dry regions, occasional watering is sufficient after the first year.
Exposure
Place the caper bush in full sun, with at least 6 hours of direct light per day. This exposure is essential for beautiful flowering and good productivity. Protect it from cold northerly winds in temperate regions.
Pruning and training
Prune lightly after flowering (August-September) to maintain a compact, bushy shape. Remove dead or diseased branches. Pruning is not essential, but it promotes branching and flower production.
Fertilizing
The caper bush is undemanding and grows well in poor soils. A moderate application of balanced fertilizer in spring is sufficient. Avoid excess nitrogen, which favors foliage at the expense of flowering.
Soil and planting
Prefer well-draining, stony or sandy soil, even poor. The caper bush tolerates chalky soils. In pots, use a light mix (potting soil + sand + gravel). Plant in spring in a sheltered location.
Diseases and pests
The caper bush is naturally resistant. In very humid regions, watch for root rot: improve drainage. Pests are rare. Prolonged frost is the main enemy: in cold climates, grow in a pot and bring it indoors in winter.
Did you know?
The caper bush has been known since antiquity: the unopened flower buds, pickled in vinegar or brine, constitute capers, that small condiment appreciated in Mediterranean cuisine. The Romans and Greeks already used it to enhance their dishes, and it has since symbolized Provençal and Creto-Italian gastronomy.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.