Capsella bursa-pastoris

RHS Plant Profile
shepherd's purse

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shepherd's purse RHS
shepherd's purse RHS

Other common names

case weed, hen pepper, lady's purse, mother's heart, pepper and salt, pepper plant, pepper weed, pickpurse, poor man's parmacetty, pwrs y bugail, shepherd's scrip, shovel weed, toothwort, toy weed, toy wort, witches' pouches

Synonyms

Thlaspi bursa-pastoris

Annual Biennial

Capsella is a genus of tough, annual or biennial plants, producing a rosette of toothed leaves which often overwinters. Tiny, white flowers are produced anytime from spring to autumn on upright stems to 50cm, followed by characteristic heart-shaped seed pods

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0-0.1 metre

Size

Time to Maturity
1 year
Max Spread
0-0.1 metre
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or East–facing or South–facing or North–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Brassicaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus
Capsella are a genus of tough, herbaceous annual plants which vary greatly in height and in leaf, flower and fruit shape and size. They grow quickly and flower and produce seed throughout the year. Seeds can be heart-shaped and flowers small and white.
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Temp. & subtr.

How to Grow

Cultivation

A fast-growing, short-lived plant of bare and cultivated land. See shepherd's purse for further information

Propagation

Produces vast quantities of seed throughout the year, providing food for small birds. Unwanted seedlings are easily removed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Wildlife gardens

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to the leaf disease white blister which affects Brassicaceae, Asteraceae and Aizoaceae groups of plants