Castor Bean Seeds - Ricinus Communis Impala Flower Seeds

Castor Bean Seeds - Impala

Flower Specifications

Season: Annual

USDA Zones: 5 - 11

Height: 36 - 48 inches

Bloom Season: Late summer to early fall

Bloom Color: Yellow

Environment: Full sun

Soil Type: Well ammended soil, pH 5.8 - 7.0

Deer Resistant: Yes

House Plant: No

Latin Name: Ricinus Communis

Planting Directions

Temperature: 65 - 70F

Average Germ Time: 7 - 14 days

Light Required: Yes

Depth: 1/4 inch

Sowing Rate: 1 - 2 seeds per plant

Moisture: Keep soil slightly moist but not wet, avoid soil drying out

Plant Spacing: 24 - 36 inches

Note: Seeds are poisonous, DO NOT eat

Care & Maintenance: Castor Bean

Castor Bean (Ricinus Communis Impala) - To add this unique tropical annual to your landscape, start Castor Bean seeds and be amazed at how fast this plant grows! Impala is tall and dramatic with huge copper-red leaves and clusters of creamy yellow blooms, followed by maroon pods. This evergreen tropical shrub can grow so fast that it can be used as a very large and dramatic annual in the garden. Castor Oil plants are remarkably architectural and can be used very effectively in the center of island beds or at the back of large borders.

Castor Bean seeds can be started indoors 6 - 8 weeks before the last frost date or directly outdoors after frost season has passed. It is recommended to soak the Ricinus seeds for 24 hours in water to help break the seed coat. Cover the flower seeds with 1/4 inch of soil and keep moist. Grow the plant in full sun and in soil that is rich and has been amended with organic matter. Care of the Impala Castor Bean plant would include staking the plant if needed, trimming the faded flowers to produce new blooms, and fertilizing every month (or adding a slow-release fertilizer at the time of planting). In the fall after the first frost, remove the plant and discard.

NOTE: All parts of the plant, including the seeds, are poisonous. Eating the seeds may be fatal. This plant is not recommended if you have small children. Again if you have children that naturally put things into their mouths, you probably should avoid this plant. If you do decide to grow it, educate your children about the dangers of this plant.

Excellent For Pollinators

Not only do castor bean plants look exotic, but they help your garden by attracting pollinators to the area.

Excellent For Pollinators

Impressive Landscape Plant

How to Grow

Castor Bean seeds can be started indoors 6 - 8 weeks before the last frost date or directly outdoors after frost season has passed. It is recommended to soak the Ricinus seeds for 24 hours in water to help break the seed coat. Cover the Castor Bean seed with 1/4 inch of soil and keep moist. Grow the plant in full sun in soil that is rich and has been amended with organic matter. Care of the Castor Bean plant includes staking it as necessary, trimming faded flowers to produce new blooms, and fertilizing every month (or adding a slow-release fertilizer at the time of planting). In the fall after the first frost, remove the plant and discard.

  • Environment: full sun
  • Soil: well-amended w' pH 5.8-7.0
  • Sowing rate: 1-2 seeds per plant
Impressive Landscape Plant

Plant Specifications

Castor bean is an annual flowering woody shrub that grows in USDA zones 5 through 11. It is very fast-growing and is often employed as a temporary shade-producer for the garden in the heat of the summer.

  • Bloom color: yellow
  • Bloom season: late summer to early fall
  • Plant height: 36-48 inches