Outsidepride Castor Bean - Zanzibariensis - 100 Seeds
Ricinus communis, or Castor Bean, known more as Castor Oil Plant, is a tropical annual that makes quite a stunning presence in the garden. This variety, Zanzibariensis, is the largest of the Castor Bean varieties and comes from an African island, Zanzibar. It produces large, star-like leaves that are a bronze-green in color and can reach 24 inches across. In addition to the large leaves are dark seed stalks that can measure 18 inches long. The Castor Beans are inside each seed ball and are pressed for Castor Oil and used in animal repellants. The plant can reach 8 feet in height and is often used for its appealing visual display. This tall annual is often used to make a back-drop for other lower-growing plants in the summer garden. Start Castor Bean seed directly outdoors in a prepared seedbed after danger of frost has passed. Press the seed into soil, cover it with 1/4 inch of soil and keep the seed moist but not wet. With a temperature of 65 - 70F, germination is usually in 14 days. Grow Castor Bean in full sun. It prefers well-amended, fertile soil. Space plants 36 - 48 inches apart. Caution: all parts of the plant, including seeds are poisonous.