• slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide
  • slide

Castor Bean

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
Light
Full sun
Soil
Moist, well-drained, fertile
Planting & Care
  • Wear gloves when handling seeds
  • 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
  • Carmencita Pink - pink seed heads, 5' tall
  • Sanguineus - reddish leaves, 8' tall
  • Zanzibariensis - green leaves, 10-15' tall

Related Content

Upcoming Live Events
& Webinars


April 3, 2024
Garden Trends 

Franklin Public Library, Franklin, WI

April 10, 2024
FREE WEBINAR

Container Gardening Throughout the Year
Register now

April 11, 2024
FREE WEBINAR

7 Steps to Managing Water Where it Falls in Your Yard
Register now

April 17, 2024
Landscaping for Birds: 
A Gardener’s Perspective

Glendale, WI 

April 18, 2024
Be a Waterwise Gardener
Golden Rondelle Theater, Racine, WI
Register now

April 20, 2024
Pruning Hydrangeas and Other Shrubs 
Pasquesi Home & Gardens, Lake Bluff, IL

April 27, 2024
Ridges & Rivers Book Festival
Viroqua, WI

April 28, 2024
Flowering Trees and Shrubs
Ebert's Greenhouse Village, Ixonia, WI

May 1, 2024
FREE WEBINAR

Ornamental Fruits and Vegetables
Register now

May 9, 2024
FREE WEBINAR

How to Plant Your Rain Garden
Register now

WATCH ON-DEMAND WEBINARS

Learn More

Book an Appearance

Learn More

Enter to Win The Birds & Blooms' Ultimate Gardening Guide !

ENTER NOW