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.
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
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