The Main Plant entry for Castor Beans (Ricinus communis)

This database entry exists to show plant data and photos that apply generically to all Castor Beans.

General Plant Information (Edit)
Plant Habit: Shrub
Tree
Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water Preferences: Mesic
Leaves: Unusual foliage color
Fruit: Showy
Flower Time: Summer
Late summer or early fall
Fall
Uses: Will Naturalize
Suitable as Annual
Wildlife Attractant: Bees
Butterflies
Resistances: Deer Resistant
Rabbit Resistant
Toxicity: Leaves are poisonous
Roots are poisonous
Fruit is poisonous
Other: All parts of plant are toxic. Seeds highly toxic.
Propagation: Seeds: Self fertile
Scarify seeds: Soak for 24 hours.
Sow in situ
Pollinators: Wind
Miscellaneous: Monoecious

Image
Common names
  • Castor Bean
  • Castor Oil Plant
  • Higuera Infernal

Photo Gallery
Location: Gwinnett County, GA
Location: Loki Schmidt Garten - Botanischer Garten der Universität Hamburg
Date: 2022-09-13
Photo by Swayback
Location: Nationale Plantentuin Meise (Meise Botanical Garden)
Date: 2023-10-16
Location: Menton, France
Date: 2015-11-16
Highly toxic - beware!
Location: Real Botanico de Madrid
Location: Winter Springs, Florida, United States
Date: 2019-12-29
Location: MOBOT -   St Louis
Date: summer 2006
Location: Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Ann Arbor
Date: 2018-08-30
Ricinus communis, castor bean plant buds (reddish orange) and mal
Location: Berridge Nursery, Phoenix, Arizona
Date: 2017-05-03
Location: Guadalupe River 
Date: 2016-10-21
Photo by Swayback
Location: Real Botanico de Madrid
Photo by sedumzz
Location: Berridge Nursery, Phoenix, Arizona
Date: 2017-05-03

Date: 2012-07-05
Location: Guadalupe River 
Date: 2016-10-21
Location: Kyle
Date: 2018-09-07
the leaves have a striking color
Location: Toledo Botanical Gardens, Toledo, Ohio
Date: 2012-08-10
Castor bean plants on a rainy August morning
Location: Loki Schmidt Garten - Botanischer Garten der Universität Hamburg
Date: 2022-09-13
Location: Yukon, Oklahoma
Date: late May
newly opening leaf
Photo by Swayback
Location: Lucketts, Loudoun County, Virginia
Date: 2015-07-02
Location: Hudson, NY
Date: 2023-07-07
Location: Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Ann Arbor
Date: 2019-08-25
A spider and an ant (Castor bean plant blooms, Ricinus communis)
Location: Western Kentucky
Date: Late summer 2010
Castor bean seed pods
Location: Real Botanico de Madrid
Location: Central Kansas (Zone 6b)
Date: 2016-07-26
Location: Columbus, OH
Date: 10-24-2002
Location: Along the road, Paraty, Brazil
Date: 2013-12-15
Location: Sebastian,  Florida
Date: 2021-07-03
Location: in my NC zone 7 garden
Date: Summer
Photo by Swayback
Photo by Swayback
Location: Chatsworth, California
Date: 2012-01-25
Naturalized in southern California

Date: April
credit: Schnobby
Location: Real Botanico de Madrid
Location: Central Kansas (Zone 6b)
Date: 2016-07-26
Location: Sebastian,  Florida
Date: 2021-06-22
Location: In my NC zone 7 garden
Date: Summer
Location: Hudson valley, NY
Date: 2014-08-26
castor bean
Location: NC zone 7
Date: late winter
germinating seeds
Location: Kyle
Date: 2018-09-07
fresh and dried seed pods--all poisonous
Location: Cambridge University Botanic Garden
Date: September
credit: Magnus Manske
Photo by Swayback

Date: 2012-07-05

Date: 2012-07-05
Photo by dave
Location: Along the road, Paraty, Brazil
Date: 2013-12-15
Location: Central Kansas (Zone 6b)
Date: 2016-07-26
Location: Plano, TX
Date: 2009-04-30
Location: Central Kansas (Zone 6b)
Date: 2016-08-06
Location: Nationale Plantentuin Meise (Meise Botanical Garden)
Date: 2023-10-16
Location: Nationale Plantentuin Meise (Meise Botanical Garden)
Date: 2023-10-16
Location: Nationale Plantentuin Meise (Meise Botanical Garden)
Date: 2023-10-16
Various stages from flower to fruit
Location: Cambridge University Botanic Garden
Date: September
credit: Magnus Manske
Location: Cambridge University Botanic Garden
Date: September
credit: Magnus Manske
Location: Houston area
Date: 2012-10-02
Location: Botanical garden of Madeira
Date: 2023-04-11
Location: Leo Carrillo State Park, California
Date: 2009-11-28

Date: 2012-07-05

Date: 2012-07-05
Location: NC zone 7
Date: late summer
Location: Along the road, Paraty, Brazil
Date: 2013-12-15
Location: Sebastian,  Florida
Date: 2021-10-21
Location: Sebastian,  Florida
Date: 2021-06-22

Date: 2010-01-21
USDA
This plant is tagged in:
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Comments:
Discussion Threads about this plant
Thread Title Last Reply Replies
Castor Bean plant by Dollybelle Jan 14, 2014 1:11 PM 3

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