911±¬ÁÏ

 Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants
Annual Biennial

Capsella bursa-pastoris

shepherd's purse

A tap-rooted annual producing a rosette of toothed leaves which often overwinters. Tiny, white flowers are produced anytime from spring to autumn on upright stems to 40cm, followed by characteristic heart-shaped seed pods

Other common names
case weed
hen pepper
see morelady's purse
mother's heart
pepper and salt
pepper plant
pepper weed
pickpurse
poor man's parmacetty
shepherd's scrip
shovel weed
toothwort
toy weed
toy wort
witches' pouches
pwrs y bugail
Synonyms
Thlaspi bursa-pastoris
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
1 year
Ultimate spread
0–0.1 metre
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, °Â±ð±ô±ô–d°ù²¹¾±²Ô±ð»å
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring White Green
Summer White Green
Autumn White Green
Winter Green
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

West–facing or East–facing or South–facing or ±·´Ç°ù³Ù³ó–f²¹³¦¾±²Ô²µ

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Brassicaceae
Native to the UK
Yes
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus

Capsella are a genus of tough, herbaceous biennial 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 and prolific weed of bare and cultivated land. See shepherd's purse for further information and advice on how to control

Propagation

Produces vast quantities of seed throughout the year. May have the potential to become a nuisance if left unchecked

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Wildlife gardens
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be a host for the leaf disease white blister which affects Brassicaceae, Asteraceae and Aizoaceae groups of plants

911±¬ÁÏ

911±¬ÁÏ is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.