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castor bean

castor bean

Ricinus communis

shrub☀️ full sun💧💧 moderate waterZone 9a – Zone 11b

A fast-growing tropical shrub with large, deeply lobed foliage and distinctive spiky seed pods. Grown ornamentally for dramatic foliage and architectural form, though seeds are toxic.

Overview

Form
Upright
Growth Rate
fast
Size
6–15′ tall × 3–8′ wide
Dormancy
deciduous

Tolerances & Soil

moderate
Zone 9aZone 11b
1471013
ColderWarmer
Zone range: Zone 9a to Zone 11b

Seasonality

Bloom Season

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Harvest Season

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Season of Interest

SummerFall

Shrub

Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.

Succession Role

pioneer

Native Range

East Africa

Function & Care

biomass/mulchdynamic accumulatormedicinal

Establishment & Care

Establishment
easy
Maintenance
low
Years to Bearing
1 years
Propagation
seed

Companion Planting

Plants well with