Ricinus communis

RHS Plant Profile
castor oil plant

Other common names

castor bean, hands of Christ, Jonah's gourd, man's motherwort, mole bean, mole plant, oil plant, palma-Christi, palms of Christ, steadfast

Shrubs Annual Biennial

An erect, branching shrub to 1.5m when grown as an annual, with very deeply 5- to 12-lobed, glossy, green, red or bronze leaves to 30cm long, held on red stems. Insignificant yellow flowers are produced in summer; these are followed by bright red, spherical, spiky seed capsules

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1 year
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H2

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Euphorbiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Columnar upright
Potentially harmful
TOXIC if eatenwear gloves and other protective equipment when handling TOXIC to pets if eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus
Ricinus is a fast-growing evergreen shrub, often grown as an annual, with large, palmately lobed leaves and dense spikes of small flowers, followed by prickly seed capsules
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
N.E. Africa to W. Asia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Plant out after the last frosts in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil in full sun. Stake in exposed sites

Propagation

Propagate by sowing seed in spring, singly into 9cm pots

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Patio and container plants
  • Sub-tropical
  • Bedding
  • Conservatory and greenhouse
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely)