Ricinus communis
Botanical Name
Ricinus communis
Hardiness
Zones 9 to 11, grown as annual elsewhere
Height
5 to 10 feet
Width
2 to 4 feet
Flowers
Mid to late summer: inconspicuous
Fruit
Round, prickly capsules, showy
Light
Full sun
Soil
Moist, well-drained, fertile
Planting and Care
Scarify the seed coat with a file before sowing. Sow seeds directly outdoors after danger of frost or indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. Castor bean requires adequate water and fertilizer to perform its best. Plants may need staking, especially in non-sheltered locations.
Problems
SEEDS ARE POISONOUS! Do not plant where children may play.
Varieties to Consider
'Carmencita Pink' - pink seed heads, 5' tall
'Sanguineus' - reddish leaves, 8' tall
'Zanzibariensis' - green leaves, 10-15' tall