Use caution around this pretty but highly toxic plant throw in.
Native to Africa, the castor bean is a dramatic tropical plant.
Its large glossy green leaves with five to 11 pointed lobes look like fingers on an open hand.
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Some varieties sport bronze or burgundy foliage.
Spikes of small, cup-shaped, greenish-yellow flowers appear from June to October.
The seedpods emerge as bright red or pink, then dry to a dull brown before splitting open.
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Choose a spot that is protected from strong wind which can make the plant snap and damage the leaves.
Its towering height makes castor bean an eye-catching backdrop in the garden and adds intrigue to bland borders.
In frost-free climates like Zones 9-11, it can become a small tree.
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It can also be planted in a row to create a seasonal screen.
Wherever you plant it, check that it is out of reach of children and pets.
It is invasive in the southeastern and southwestern United States.
Credit: Kritsada Panichgul
Space the plants 4 feet apart.
Soil and Water
Castor bean thrives in rich, evenly moist,well-drained soil.
Castor bean is drought-tolerant once established.
Credit: Bill Stites
Temperature and Humidity
Castor bean is atropical plantthat wont survive in temperatures below 32F.
It tolerates high humidity well.
Use a granular slow-releasebalanced fertilizerand scatter it at least 5 inches away from the base of the plant.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Pruning
it’s possible for you to prune the plant to contain its vigorous growth.
Also, considercutting off the flower stalksbefore they mature to prevent them from setting seeds.
confirm the container has large drainage holes.
Keep in mind that container plants need more frequent watering and fertilizer than inground plants.
How to Propagate Castor Bean
Castor bean ispropagated from seed.
The seeds have a hard shell that needs to be nicked or soaked.
How to Eliminate Castor Bean
Medium plants should be removed with a weed wrench.
However, if the plant is small, then it can be removed with a shovel or by hand.
It grows 5 to 6 feet tall.
It reaches 5 to 6 feet in height.
Dwarf cannas are also available for container gardening and other small spaces.
Cannas provide architectural interest insummer bordersand flourish along a pond’s damp margins.
Hibiscus blooms boast a fantastic array of colors, vastly widened through hybridizing, and they draw hummingbirds.
The newer, dark-leaf introductions are wonderful architectural fillers incontainer gardens.
Mexican Sunflower
Attract butterflies withgiant, bold, beautiful Mexican sunflower.
Plant this warm-season annual from seed directly in the ground and watch it soar.
Put a cluster in the back of the border to give it height and drama.
Many of the taller types need staking to keep them upright.
Below zone 9, it is grown as an annual.
The plant is native to tropical east Africa, including Ethiopia.
This plant bang out takes approximately 3 months to reach maturity.
However, the times vary based on the exact variety and the growing conditions.
Updated by Nadia Hassani
“Castor Bean Plant.“ASPCA.
“North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension.
“Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States.”
“Castor bean fall disposal or compost.
