Ricinus communis 'Impala'

RHS Plant Profile

caster oil plant 'Impala'

Shrubs Bedding

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A tender, fast-growing, evergreen shrub usually grown as an annual in temperate climates. Large, deeply-lobed leaves up to 30cm wide emerge a dark purplish-red to bronze colour and may change to a dark green with age. Flower spikes comprise clusters of creamy-white male flowers topped by showy red female flowers and these are followed by prickly, rounded, maroon-red seed pods in autumn

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H2

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Euphorbiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
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: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in a peat-free, loam-based compost in full light. Water freely in growth and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly. Plant outdoors when all danger of frost has passed. Stake plants in exposed positions. Plants grown on poorer soils tend to produce flowers at the expense of foliage

Propagation

Propagate by seed, sowing in late spring. Soak seed for 24 hours and sow singly in pots with bottom heat

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
City and courtyard gardens
Patio and container plants
Sub-tropical
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pruning group 9 if needed

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely)