How to Grow Caster Bean Plants

About Caster Bean Flower and Deadly Ricin

The Castor Bean (Ricinus) flower is well known for a couple of reasons. As gardeners, let’s focus upon the bold, decorative foliage, that makes this plant so attractive in garden settings. However, you must also be aware that caster beans are a very poisonous plant. It can be used to make Ricin, a deadly poison. It is so dangerous that with this in mind if you have access to caster bean seeds and decide to grow them, be ever vigilant to keep children n pets away from this plant. eed companies voluntarily took this seed off the market decades ago.

Native to tropical Africa, the Castor Bean plant has bold, palm-shaped leaves with striking red flowers. Other flower colors include green and a pinkish red. Different varieties of this plant grow from 5 to 15 feet tall. Used as an ornamental plant, it is sometimes grown indoors as a houseplant in large, floor containers.

Both seeds and plant parts are poisonous for people, animals, and insects through ingestion. Skin contact can cause initiation and allergic reactions. The deadly poison “Ricin” is made from the seeds.

Castor oil is extracted from the plant seeds. The process does not produce ricin.

If you grow this plant, do so responsibly. We strongly recommend you do not let the flowers go to seed.

Did you Know? African natives once wore necklaces made from this plant!

The Castor Bean plant is also known as Castor Oil Plant, Mole Bean Plant, and the African Wonder Tree.

Note: Because deadly Ricin is made from this plant, most seed manufacturers no longer carry the seeds for home gardens. They discontinued selling these seeds right after 2000.

Caster Bean Plant Propagation

Castor Bean plants are grown from seed. Directly sow Castor Bean seeds into your flower garden after the last frost date in your area.

Keep the soil well-watered.

How to Grow Caster Bean Flowers

Castor Bean plants are easy to grow. They prefer full sun and a rich, well-drained soil. Add plenty of compost before planting them. These tropical plants prefer warm weather, above 60 degrees.

Castor Bean plants grow quickly. Depending upon the variety you have, they will grow 5-15 feet tall. Water them during dry periods, once or twice per week. Add a general-purpose fertilizer once a month. Add mulch to help retain soil moisture and keep weeds down.

Do not let the flowers go to seed, as it is the seed that contains toxic Ricin. Some people remove flower buds and just enjoy the beauty of the plant. Otherwise, deadhead flowers as soon as they have died.

Frost and freeze will kill these tropical plants.