Leslie Massey
Capers are a popular ingredient in Mediterranean dishes, but they can also be grown in Australia. The caper plant, scientifically known as Capparis spinosa, is a low-growing shrub that thrives in hot, dry regions with low humidity and well-drained soil. In Australia, capers can be grown in pots, but for a good harvest, it is recommended to plant them in an area that receives at least six hours of full sun daily. The seeds should be raised in trays or containers and transplanted once established, with a spacing of 150cm between plants. Caper buds can be picked and preserved through salting or pickling, while the young leaves can also be pickled and used in salads.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Capparis spinosa |
| Origin | Mediterranean climate |
| Plant type | Deciduous perennial low shrub |
| Sunlight | Full sun, at least 6 hours per day |
| Soil | Well-drained, no manure or fertilizer needed |
| Watering | Required until established, then none |
| Height | Up to 1 metre |
| Spread | Up to 3.5–4 metres |
| Parts used | Buds, berries, leaves |
| Taste | Salty |
| Growth season | September to March/April |
| Harvesting | Every 10-12 days in the hot season |
| Common pests | Butterflies, caterpillars |
| Preservation | Curing with salt, pickling |
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What You'll Learn
Caper plants thrive in hot, dry regions with well-drained soil
Caper plants, scientifically known as *Capparis spinosa*, are native to the Mediterranean region with its hot dry summers. They can, however, be grown in Australia, particularly in hot, dry regions with well-drained soil.
Caper plants thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, and while they can be grown in pots, they will likely produce a better harvest when planted in the ground as they like to develop a large root structure. Choose a location that receives at least 6 hours of full sun each day, and prepare the soil by weeding thoroughly and digging it over to loosen it. Keep the area free of weeds until planting.
Caper plants do not like wet feet or humidity and are better suited to dry, less humid conditions. They are naturally adapted to poor soils and require minimal watering once established. In fact, the top 200-300mm of soil should be dry and well-drained, never wet or waterlogged.
To grow capers from seed, start by stratifying the seeds, which involves exposing them to a period of cold temperature to spur germination. Then, fill trays or containers with a good quality seed-raising mix and sow the seeds about 2mm deep. Keep the soil moist but never wet or dry, and transplant the seedlings to the garden once they are about 5-10cm tall, spacing them about 150cm apart.
With the right care and conditions, your caper plants will thrive in Australia's hot, dry climate and reward you with an abundance of tasty buds and berries.
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How to grow capers from seeds
Caper bushes are a perennial plant that grows year-round in climates with hot summers and low humidity. They require dry heat and intense sunlight to flourish and will be killed by temperatures below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Caper seeds are notoriously difficult to germinate, but once they do, the plants are almost indestructible. They can tolerate temperatures well below zero for extended periods and can withstand temperatures above 50 degrees Celsius. They can grow in poor, almost non-existent soil, but they do prefer a good alkaline soil.
To grow capers from seeds, start by stratifying the seeds, which may improve the speed and success of germination. Next, fill trays, punnets, or jiffy pots with a good-quality seed-raising mix or use soil starter pellets. Sow the seeds 2mm deep. Keep the soil moist but never wet or dry. Seeds should germinate in around 14-28 days at a soil temperature of 20-25 degrees Celsius. Transplant the seedlings to your garden once they have their first true leaves and are about 5-10cm tall, spacing the plants 150cm apart.
If you live in a cool climate, you can sow caper seeds indoors about six weeks before the last expected frost. Grow them in a warm position with plenty of natural light. When transplanting, disturb the roots as little as possible. Protect the plants from the elements by covering them with a plastic bag for the first three to four days, then cutting the top off the bag and leaving it for another week before removing it entirely.
Another technique for germinating caper seeds is to soak them in warm water for 24 hours. Put the seeds in a wet towel, seal them in a plastic bag, and leave them in the refrigerator for six to eight weeks. Remove the seeds, soak them again in warm water for 24 hours, then plant them 1cm deep in a mixture of potting soil, perlite, and sand (50/25/25%)。 Use 4-6" pots and put 4-5 seeds per pot. Seeds should germinate in three to four weeks. Grow them until they are 3-5" tall, then save the best plant and cut the rest with scissors.
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Preparing the soil
Caper bushes are perennials that thrive in full sun, well-drained soil, and hot, dry summers. They can be grown from seeds in trays or pots and transplanted to the garden once established. Here is a guide to preparing the soil for growing capers in Australia:
First, choose a permanent position that receives at least 6 hours of full sun each day. Caper bushes prefer hot, dry conditions and do not like humidity or wet feet. Therefore, it is essential to select a well-drained area. The top 200-300mm of soil should be dry and well-drained, never wet or waterlogged.
Next, prepare the soil by weeding it thoroughly and digging it over to loosen it. Keep the area free of weeds until planting. While caper bushes grow well in poor soils, you can add good compost and lime to the soil before planting. You can also experiment with natural fertilisers such as NatraMin Cal-S, Seamungus, and alpaca poo, which provide benefits for soil and plant nutrition.
If you are planting in winter, it is beneficial to stratify the seeds before planting. Stratification involves exposing the seeds to a period of cold temperature, which helps break dormancy and spurs germination. Once your seeds have germinated, transplant them to the garden when they are about 5-10cm tall, spacing the plants 150cm apart.
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Common pests and diseases
Caper bushes are susceptible to pests and diseases, just like any other plant. Here are some of the most common problems you may encounter when growing capers in Australia:
Cabbage Moth and Cabbage White Butterfly
The cabbage moth and cabbage white butterfly are common pests of caper plants. They lay their eggs on the underside of leaves, and their caterpillars feed on the leaves, creating large holes and sometimes skeletonising them. The white or grey wings of these butterflies have distinctive markings. To control them, use netting or decoys to exclude or deter them, respectively. You can also pick the caterpillars off by hand or use targeted sprays.
Slugs and Snails
Slugs and snails are molluscs that feed on tender caper leaves and shoots, usually at night, leaving slimy trails. To control their population, remove their hiding places, keep free-range poultry, collect them by torchlight, or set traps.
Aphids
Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that feed on plant sap. They can spread diseases as they move from plant to plant. The honeydew secretions of rose aphids, for example, cause a secondary disease called Sooty Mould, which disrupts the plant's photosynthesis and respiration. To prevent the spread of aphids, look out for them during spring and summer, when they are most active, and be cautious of infected plant matter.
Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs (BMSB)
The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug is an invasive species native to Northeast Asia. It has spread to Australia via Europe, America, and New Zealand. BMSBs are a serious threat to food production, feeding on crop plants such as apples, corn, and tomatoes. They inject saliva into fruit as they feed, causing it to rot. BMSBs are resistant to insecticides and have no natural predators in Australia, making them a top priority for biosecurity.
When growing capers in Australia, it is important to be vigilant and proactive in managing these common pests and diseases to ensure the health and productivity of your caper plants.
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Harvesting and preserving capers
Harvesting capers involves picking the buds when they are still tight, which is usually early in the morning before the heat of the day causes them to unfurl. The caper bush will continue to produce new buds throughout the warmer months. If you miss the tight bud harvesting window, you can let the buds flower and go to seed, as these can be pickled, and the fresh new shoots can be eaten.
When harvesting caper berries, it is important to pick them before they turn ripe, bright pink, and burst open to reveal their seeds.
Preserving capers typically involves curing them in salt or brine to remove bitterness and make them edible. To cure capers in salt, start by weighing the harvested capers and using the same weight of coarse sea salt. Rinse the capers, drain them, and then place them in a jar in single layers, alternating with a layer of salt, until the jar is full. Store the jar in a cool place for at least 40 days, draining off any liquid that accumulates and topping up with salt as needed. After 10-12 days, drain off the salty liquid, add more salt, and let it sit for another 10 days before draining again. Finally, store the capers in a jar with dry salt to preserve them.
Alternatively, capers can be pickled by soaking them in saltwater for a day and then storing them in white wine vinegar.
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