Ricinus communis
TAXONOMY
FamilyEuphorbiaceae
GenusRicinus
Zone9
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Ricinus communis, commonly known as the castor bean plant, is a member of the Euphorbiaceae family. It is native to the southeastern Mediterranean Basin, Eastern Africa, and India, but it is now widespread throughout tropical regions. This plant can grow as a shrub or tree and is known for its large, palmate leaves and distinctive seed pods. It thrives in seasonally dry tropical climates.
ALSO KNOWN AS
Asiatic Apple
Castor Bean
Cataputia Major
Chinese Crab
Chinese Flowering Apple
Croton Spinosus
Cataputia minor
Ricinus africanus
Ricinus angulatus
Ricinus armatus
Ricinus atropurpureus
Ricinus badius
Ricinus borboniensis
Ricinus cambodgensis
Ricinus communis f. americanus
Ricinus communis f. argentatus
Ricinus communis f. argyratus
Ricinus communis f. atratus
Ricinus communis f. atrobrunneatus
Ricinus communis f. atrofulvatus
Ricinus communis f. atrofuscatus
Ricinus communis f. atrophoeniceus
Ricinus communis f. atropunicatus
Ricinus communis f. atropurpureatus
Ricinus communis f. avellanatus
Ricinus communis f. blumeanus
Ricinus communis f. canatus
Ricinus communis f. canescens
Ricinus communis f. carneatus
Ricinus communis f. cervatus
Ricinus communis f. cinerascens
Ricinus communis f. cinereatus
Ricinus communis f. denudatus
Ricinus communis f. epiglaucus
Ricinus communis f. erythrocladus
Ricinus communis f. exiguus
Ricinus communis f. fulvatus
Ricinus communis f. fumatus
Ricinus communis f. fuscatus
Ricinus communis f. gilvus
Ricinus communis f. glaucus
Ricinus communis f. gracilis
Ricinus communis f. guttatus
Ricinus communis f. hybridus
Ricinus communis f. incarnatus
Ricinus communis f. inermis
Ricinus communis f. intermedius
Ricinus communis f. laevis
Ricinus communis f. macrophyllus
Ricinus communis f. maculatus
Ricinus communis f. marmoreatus
Ricinus communis f. murinatus
Ricinus communis f. nigellus
Ricinus communis f. nigrescens
Ricinus communis f. niveatus
Ricinus communis f. oblongus
Ricinus communis f. obscurus
Ricinus communis f. oligacanthus
Ricinus communis f. ostrinatus
Ricinus communis f. pardalinus
Ricinus communis f. picturatus
Ricinus communis f. plumbeatus
Ricinus communis f. pruinosus
Ricinus communis f. pullatus
Ricinus communis f. punctatus
Ricinus communis f. punctulatus
Ricinus communis f. punicans
Ricinus communis f. purpurascens
Ricinus communis f. radiatus
Ricinus communis f. rufescens
Ricinus communis f. russatus
Ricinus communis f. rutilans
Ricinus communis f. scaber
Ricinus communis f. scriptus
Ricinus communis f. sordidus
Ricinus communis f. stigmosus
Ricinus communis f. striatus
Ricinus communis f. subpurpurascens
Ricinus communis f. subrotundus
Ricinus communis f. subviridus
Ricinus communis f. sulcatus
Ricinus communis f. tigrinus
Ricinus communis f. umbrinus
Ricinus communis f. venosus
Ricinus communis f. vinatus
Ricinus communis f. viridis
Ricinus communis f. zebrinus
Ricinus communis f. zollingeri
Ricinus communis f. zonatus
Ricinus communis subsp. africanus
Ricinus communis subsp. indicus
Ricinus communis subsp. manshuricus
Ricinus communis subsp. mexicanus
Ricinus communis subsp. persicus
Ricinus communis subsp. ruderalis
Ricinus communis subsp. sanguineus
Ricinus communis subsp. scaber
Ricinus communis subsp. sinensis
Ricinus communis subsp. zanzibarinus
Ricinus communis var. aegyptiacus
Ricinus communis var. africanus
Ricinus communis var. amblyocalyx
Ricinus communis var. americanus
Ricinus communis var. armatus
Ricinus communis var. badius
Ricinus communis var. bailundensis
Ricinus communis var. benguelensis
Ricinus communis var. brasiliensis
Ricinus communis var. brevinodis
Ricinus communis var. caesius
Ricinus communis var. communis
Ricinus communis var. glaucus
Ricinus communis var. griseofolius
Ricinus communis var. hybridus
Ricinus communis var. indehiscens
Ricinus communis var. inermis
Ricinus communis var. japonicus
Ricinus communis var. krappa
Ricinus communis var. leucocarpus
Ricinus communis var. lividus
Ricinus communis var. macrocarpus
Ricinus communis var. macrophyllus
Ricinus communis var. megalospermus
Ricinus communis var. mexicanus
Ricinus communis var. microcarpus
Ricinus communis var. microspermus
Ricinus communis var. minor
Ricinus communis var. nanus
Ricinus communis var. purpurascens
Ricinus communis var. reichenbachianus
Ricinus communis var. rheedianus
Ricinus communis var. roseus
Ricinus communis var. rugosus
Ricinus communis var. sanguineus
Ricinus communis var. speciosus
Ricinus communis var. spontaneus
Ricinus communis var. subpurpurascens
Ricinus communis var. undulatus
Ricinus communis var. vasconcellosii
Ricinus communis var. violaceocaulis
Ricinus communis var. virens
Ricinus communis var. viridis
Ricinus compactus
Ricinus digitatus
Ricinus europaeus
Ricinus giganteus
Ricinus glaucus
Ricinus hybridus
Ricinus inermis
Ricinus japonicus
Ricinus krappa
Ricinus laevis
Ricinus leucocarpus
Ricinus lividus
Ricinus macrocarpus
Ricinus macrocarpus var. nudus
Ricinus macrophyllus
Ricinus medicus
Ricinus medius
Ricinus megalosperma
Ricinus megalospermus
Ricinus messeniacus
Ricinus metallicus
Ricinus microcarpus
Ricinus microcarpus var. atrovirens
Ricinus microcarpus var. spontaneus
Ricinus minor
Ricinus nanus
Ricinus obermannii
Ricinus peltatus
Ricinus perennis
Ricinus persicus
Ricinus purpurascens
Ricinus ruber
Ricinus rugosus
Ricinus rutilans
Ricinus sanguineus
Ricinus scaber
Ricinus speciosus
Ricinus spectabilis
Ricinus tunisensis
Ricinus undulatus
Ricinus urens
Ricinus viridis
Ricinus vulgaris
Ricinus zanzibarinus
OVERVIEW
VPDCalculate
WaterDry
SoilLoamy
LightDirect Bright (8 Hours)
Temperature25° C
Humidity60%
GDD1,800
pH6
Pressure1,013 mbar
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DETAILS
Care Instructions
Ricinus communis requires bright, direct sunlight for optimal growth. It prefers moderate temperatures and can tolerate some drought once established. Regular watering is necessary during the growing season, but the soil should be allowed to dry out between waterings. This plant also benefits from moderate humidity levels.Harvest
Ricinus communis, commonly known as the castor bean plant, is typically harvested when the seed pods have matured and turned brown, which usually occurs about 120 days after planting. Harvesting involves cutting the entire plant or manually picking the seed pods. Care should be taken to wear gloves and protective clothing, as the plant contains toxic compounds. The seeds should be dried thoroughly before any further processing.Soil
The castor bean plant prefers well-draining loamy soil that is rich in organic matter. It can tolerate a range of soil types but thrives best in soil that retains some moisture without becoming waterlogged. Good drainage is essential to prevent root rot.Fertilizer
A balanced fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio of 10-10-10 is suitable for Ricinus communis. Fertilize the plant every 4-6 weeks during the growing season to support its rapid growth and development.Repotting
Repotting is necessary when the plant outgrows its container. This is typically done in the spring. Choose a pot that is one size larger and ensure it has good drainage. Gently remove the plant from its current pot, loosen the roots, and place it in the new pot with fresh soil.Propagation
Ricinus communis can be propagated from seeds. Sow the seeds in a well-draining seed-starting mix and keep them warm and moist until germination, which usually occurs within 1-3 weeks. Propagation is best done in the spring.Pruning
Pruning is required to maintain the shape and size of the plant. Remove any dead or damaged branches and trim back overgrown areas to encourage bushier growth. Pruning is best done in the late winter or early spring before new growth begins.Toxicity
All parts of the Ricinus communis plant are highly toxic, especially the seeds, which contain ricin. Ingestion can be fatal to both humans and pets. Handle the plant with care and keep it out of reach of children and animals.Additional
Ricinus communis is often grown for its ornamental value and its seeds, which are the source of castor oil. However, due to its toxicity, it should be planted with caution in areas accessible to children and pets.REVOLUTIONIZE YOUR PLANT CARE
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