Caper Seeds Capparis spinosa

Buy by the Packet or in Bulk

Unit Size	Unit Price	Savings	Qty
Packet	$5.95
1 Ounce Package	$89.95
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Annual; Grows up to 40 Inches Tall
Uses: Culinary, Medicinal, Tea
USDA Zones 9-11

Shipping Schedule

Seeds are shipped year-round, while perennials & bulbs are shipped seasonally. Pre-ordered bulbs ship at the proper planting time for your zone. Spring pre-orders are placed any time before March 1. Fall pre-orders are placed any time before September 1. These items will not ship immediately, but will be delivered at the ideal time for planting. Orders containing both seeds and bulbs may be split into multiple shipments. Click here for more shipping information.

Pre-Ordered Spring Bulbs & Perennials	Shipping Begins
Zones 9 - 12	Late February to Early March
Zone 8	Early to Mid March
Zone 7	Mid to Late March
Zone 6	Early April
Zone 5	Late April
Zones 2 - 4	Late April to Early May
In-season orders ship immediately at the time of purchase to all zones until inventory is depleted.
Saffron Crocus & Bearded Iris	Shipping Begins
All Zones	Late August
Pre-Ordered Fall Bulbs	Shipping Begins
Zones 2 - 4	Mid September
Zone 5	Mid to Late September
Zone 6	Late September
Zone 7	Late September to Early October
Zones 8 - 12	Early to Mid October
In-season orders ship immediately at the time of purchase to all zones until inventory is depleted.
Pre-Ordered Fall Perennials*	Shipping Begins
All Zones	Mid October
*Amaryllis Bulbs, Hosta Roots, Lily Bulbs, Papaver Roots, Paperwhite Bulbs, Peony Roots & Siberian Iris Roots

Product Description

Caper Seeds

Commonly used for its buds and berries, which can be pickled and used as seasoning in a variety of dishes, tea made from the root of the Caper bush is known to be beneficial against rheumatism.

Fast Facts

Name:	Caper Seeds
Botanical Name:	Capparis spinosa
Life Cycle:	Annual
Light Requirement:	Full Sun
Planting Season:	Spring
Plant Type:	Bush
Features:	Heirloom, Culinary, Medicinal, Outdoor
Days to Maturity:	Harvest in 2nd Year
Plant Spacing:	3-5 feet
Planting Depth:	1/4 inch
Sowing Method:	Direct Sow, Start Indoors
Cold Stratification:	Yes
Seeds per Packet:	500 mg
Hardiness Zones:	9, 10
Ships:	Year Round

Planting Instructions
How to Grow Capers

Capers are an ancient perennial native to the Mediterranean. Mature Caper bushes grow up to 3 feet high and 4 - 5 feet wide and produce beautifully fragrant white to pale pink blooms, which get 2 - 3 inches across and feature many long purple-pink stamens. Caper plants require dry and hot arid climates and long days of strong sunlight to thrive. Capers are hardy in USDA Growing Zones 9 - 11 and can withstand high heat temperatures over the Summer months. In these zones, they can act as an evergreen. Due to their temperate nature, they cannot survive over Winter in Zones 8 and below outside. Cooler zones are recommended to plant in a pot and brought inside during the Winter. They can also be grown in pots in a greenhouse.

When to Plant

Seeds require cold stratification to germinate.
- - Soak seeds in a jar for 24 hours in warm water (no need to keep the water warm once it cools to room temperature).
- - Wrap seeds in a damp towel and seal in a plastic bag or jar and refrigerate for 65 - 70 Days.
- - Remove from the refrigerator and soak seeds again in warm water for another 24 hours.
- - Plant seeds 1/4 inch deep in a mixture of potting soil, perlite, and sand (50/25/25) - Use 4-6" pots and install 4-5 seeds per pot.
- - Make sure soil stays moist & keep in a warm (70°F-85°F) place in part or full sun.
Note: Caper Seeds are notoriously challenging to germinate from seed and can take up to 3 - 4 weeks to germinate, and typically in low percentages.
- - When seedlings reach 3 - 5 inches in height, transplant to a 1-Gallon container filled with the same planting mix and ratio used for the seeds. Make sure not to disturb their root systems.
- - Water and cover each container with a plastic bag & place the container in a shady spot.
- - After 1 week, cut the top of the bag to allow the plant to acclimate to its environment.
- - Increase the size of the opening after another 10 days.
- - After another week, remove the plastic bag and place the plants in a shaded area.
- - If transplanting to the ground, plant in early Spring after the danger of frost has passed. If planting in a larger container, transplant when your plant reaches 6 - 8 inches tall.
When to Harvest

There are 6 stages at which Capers can be harvested. It's best to pick them by hand in the morning when they’ve reached the desired size. It is said that the smaller they are, the more desirable (and expensive) they are. Capers are ready to pick when they are a dark olive green color, and at least a 1/4 inch wide with a tightly closed flower bud. You can also harvest them as they get larger in size, about a 1/2 inch, and when they start expanding into their flower form.