Castor Bean (Caster-Oil-Plant)
Ricinus communis. EUPHORBIACEAE.
Planting and Growing Castor Bean
You’ll find everything you need to know to plant and grow castor bean in the accompanying table’s tabs:
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- Flowers, foliage, and root structure of castor bean
- Plant hardiness and growing conditions for castor bean
- Season of bloom and planting time for castor bean
- When, how deep, and where to plant castor bean
- How to plant castor bean
- Watering, fertilizing, care, and pests or diseases of castor bean
- Landscape and container uses of castor bean
- Comments about castor bean and its features
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Growing Castor Bean
Several widely varied, erect, branching, shrubby annual herbs, sometimes to 40 ft. (12 m) tall but seldom more than 15 ft. (4.5 m) tall in landscape use. Alternate, red purple becoming deep green, deeply lobed, finely toothed, pointed, veined leaves, to 3 ft. (90 cm) wide.
Dwarf cultivars available.
Planting and Care Guide
Blooms
Many insignficant white flowers, in summer, form ball-shaped, hairy and spiny seedpods, to 1 in. (25 mm) wide, in autumn; grown primarily for foliage.
Best Climates
Plant as tender annual, zones 4–9; self-seeding, zones 5–11. Perennial-like, zones 10–11.
Soil Type and Fertility
Moist to damp, well-drained, sandy soil. Fertility: Rich–low. 6.5–8.0 pH.
Where and How to Plant
Spring, zones 4–9; winter, zones 10–11, in full sun, 4–6 ft. (1.2–1.8 m) apart.
Proper Care
Moderate. Keep moist until established; drought tolerant thereafter. Fertilize quarterly. Pinch seedpods to prevent seed formation. Propagate by seed.
About This Plant
Good choice for backgrounds, containers, screens in arid, meadow, natural gardens. Pest and disease resistant.
Warning:
Sap and seed of Ricinus communis are toxic with potential hazard for fatal consequences if eaten. Contact with foliage or sap may cause skin irritation. Avoid planting in areas frequented by pets or children. Wear rubber gloves when handling.