Castor, botanically known as Ricinus communis, is a herbaceous perennial plant. It can be grown as an annual or perennial, depending on the weather.
USDA Zones — 9 – 11
Propagation Method — Seeds, cuttings
Difficulty — Easy
Soil Type — Neutral
Other names — Castor oil plant, wonder tree, arandi, kege, amanakku, chittamankku, ricin, castorbean, erand, eranda, gandharva hasta, graine de ricin, tangantangan Oil Plant
Native to Eastern Africa and India, the castor plant is world’s most poisonous plant. Still it is grown for various medicinal purposes and as an ornamental plant. It has large attractive foliage, star-shaped thorns and red seed capsules. Planting a castor plant is a great way to add some low-cost tropical touch to your home landscape but you should be aware if you’ve children or pets.
You can grow this plant as an annual in the Department of Agriculture (USDA) hardiness zones plant 2 – 9 and as perennial in USDA Zone 9b and above.
The plant grows rapidly, achieving height of six feet or more in just three months and reaches a maximum height of up to 12 m and is a very invasive plant in places where it is native of.
Conditions for Growing Castor Beans
Castor plant grows quickly and as it is native to tropics, it needs heat and warm temperature to grow, the optimal cultivation temperature is 77 – 86 F (25 – 30 ° C) with a good amount of light.
It is also possible to grow castor oil plant in coastal areas.
Propagation
Growing castor beans plant is possible by seeds. Soak castor seeds in a glass of water for 24 hours before planting. Use filtered or purified water instead of tap water.
Planting Castor Beans
Sow castor seeds 1 inches deep and space the seeds at least 3 feet away. Keep the soil moist and transplant them to bigger pot or in the garden when the two real leaves emerge.
In the garden, space castor plants 3 feet apart. Add some well-rotted compost in the planting hole.
For growing castor beans in a pot, choose a large container and use potting mix or make it yourself by mixing equal parts of soil, perlite, peat and compost.
Requirements for Growing Castor Beans
Soil
The soil has to be rich in organic substance and must be well drained much as it does not tolerate water logging. Castor plant is quite adaptable to many types of soil.
Sun
Castor loves the sun but needs to be sheltered from the prevailing winds because of its height.
Watering
Castor plant prefers the soil to be always slightly moist. In winter, reduce watering and let the soil to dry out between watering spells.
Castor Oil Plant Care
Fertilizer
Fertilize the castor plant once a month with an all-purpose fertilizer. Spread a layer of an inch of aged manure or compost around the base of plant when the buds begin to emerge.
Pruning
Pruning is not necessary for castor plant.
Harvesting
Select the bean pods as they begin to dry on the plant. Either remove the castor plants from the garden with pods or leave them if growing as perennial. Wear garden gloves, long-sleeved shirt and long pants during harvesting castor beans and disposal of plants.
Pests and Diseases
It is not susceptible to any pests or diseases
Tips and Warnings
Keep the castor plant away from the reach of children. The toxic called ricin is mainly contained in the seeds but it is also found in castor leaves in low amount.
In any case ingestion of any part of castor plant should be avoided.
Castor plant can be allergic to some people but it is not poisonous when touched.
If you have pets make sure they do not eat the castor seeds or leaves.
Emmanuel
November 1, 2017 At 4:08 pm
Great job, the information here are very details.
Reply
Kunde
January 10, 2018 At 2:18 am
How long does it take castor oil plant to produce please?
Reply
Lawal Sarafa Ademola
May 1, 2018 At 10:45 am
What can be done ,i have planted about20 hectare of castor recently and the rain stopped for almost one week now and none of them have germinated.
Reply
Alberto Nsekela
February 10, 2019 At 11:53 pm
Castor doesn’t need alot water
Reply
Dayo
April 4, 2020 At 4:20 pm
We provide effective, low cost irrigation for crops in West Africa. Kindly add me on WhatsApp: +2348065938427 for details.
Reply
Raji Olubukola
May 15, 2018 At 5:22 pm
Good day all, please, where can I get castle seed for planting and also when is the best time to plant castor seed.
Many thanks.
Reply
Mrs j white
May 19, 2018 At 1:32 pm
Do you take the black berries of castor oil plant
Reply
Olawale florence
June 6, 2018 At 9:42 am
Good day.please where can I get seed to plant for castor oil?
Reply
Raheem Akinsanya
October 17, 2018 At 9:42 am
How and where can I get castor seed?
Reply
meaza
December 28, 2020 At 2:34 pm
i have castor oil seed
Reply
Alberto Nsekela
February 10, 2019 At 11:51 pm
Hi my name is Alberto am new in this I just I want to know if I finish the harvest of castor oil I have to remove all the plants and start again or leave them they will grow again
Reply
Dr.Jaywant Vikram Shah.
February 12, 2019 At 11:10 am
With due respect I would like to learn more about Castor oil plant(in detail). Please let me know everything about it(morphology,chemical composition,uses and benefits of every part,cultivation,care,harvesting,the uses of every part and method-procedures,uses in medicines,uses in cosmetics,uses in soaps and shampoo,uses as lubricants and various industries etc.)including required machines as wel-for factory too. Your’s sincerely-Dr.J.V.Shah.+977 9849154703.Pipara,Vaangangaa municipality-2,Kapilvastu,Nepal.
D
Reply
mazhande Dorcas
March 29, 2019 At 12:10 pm
where is the market for the castor beans and whom do I contact
Reply
Dosan
April 9, 2019 At 2:27 pm
I am a castor seed farmer with over 20 hecrares. For more information about castor seed from land selection to oil processing ,you can add me on whatsapp +2347032165844
Reply
Musa
July 16, 2019 At 2:11 pm
This is an excellent article
Reply
charles Mono
July 30, 2019 At 12:52 pm
Hi please help with as much information as iam very much intrested in castor oil farming and please share information on were to sell the castor beans when harvested including the prices and the quality required thanks
Reply
Ishaq Ibrahim dogara
October 1, 2019 At 6:36 pm
Very nice information about growing castor plants, but how can I get the seed or seedlings
Reply
Helene Bowen
July 5, 2020 At 4:39 am
Do deer eat the plants
Reply
Giwa Abdulafeez
July 13, 2020 At 11:18 pm
Pls call me on 08030661458.Do u want Indian brown or Brazilian white castor seeds.
Reply
Agboola Falua
October 22, 2020 At 10:29 pm
What about the marketing?
How much is 1 kilo or 1 tone?
How can I be linked up with buyers?
Reply
Oladeji Adesiyan
December 25, 2020 At 12:03 am
I do love and highly interested in Castor Oil plant cultivation, kindly add me to the group my WhatsApp number is 08060927221
Reply
Raymond Peter Speelman
April 30, 2021 At 1:14 am
I am interested in farming with castor seeds.I need to know where the market is and if it is possible to export the beans from South Africa to markets on the African continent.Lastly if someone can advise me as to the value of the beans per ton.
thank you in advance.
my contact number is +27 844674427 (also for whatsApp)
Reply
John chileshe
May 26, 2021 At 5:31 pm
I like the link, please add my name
Reply
Yerima Hamajoda
November 13, 2021 At 11:59 am
Hi guys
Thanks for the very informative information.
I will to have seeds . Share with existing farmers and want to be farmers.
I am ving talks with some big buyers and ready to share the volumes .
Guys when sharing your contact details add country code .
Whatsapp contact : +27 73 117 8911
Yerima
Reply
John Craig
October 29, 2022 At 4:19 am
Nice writeup. Could I be added to group forum please
Reply
Great job, the information here are very details.
How long does it take castor oil plant to produce please?
- Alberto Nsekela
- February 10, 2019 At 11:53 pm
- Castor doesn’t need alot water
- Reply
- Dayo
- April 4, 2020 At 4:20 pm
- We provide effective, low cost irrigation for crops in West Africa. Kindly add me on WhatsApp: +2348065938427 for details.
- Reply
What can be done ,i have planted about20 hectare of castor recently and the rain stopped for almost one week now and none of them have germinated.
Castor doesn’t need alot water
We provide effective, low cost irrigation for crops in West Africa. Kindly add me on WhatsApp: +2348065938427 for details.
Good day all, please, where can I get castle seed for planting and also when is the best time to plant castor seed. Many thanks.
Do you take the black berries of castor oil plant
Good day.please where can I get seed to plant for castor oil?
- meaza
- December 28, 2020 At 2:34 pm
- i have castor oil seed
- Reply
How and where can I get castor seed?
i have castor oil seed
Hi my name is Alberto am new in this I just I want to know if I finish the harvest of castor oil I have to remove all the plants and start again or leave them they will grow again
With due respect I would like to learn more about Castor oil plant(in detail). Please let me know everything about it(morphology,chemical composition,uses and benefits of every part,cultivation,care,harvesting,the uses of every part and method-procedures,uses in medicines,uses in cosmetics,uses in soaps and shampoo,uses as lubricants and various industries etc.)including required machines as wel-for factory too. Your’s sincerely-Dr.J.V.Shah.+977 9849154703.Pipara,Vaangangaa municipality-2,Kapilvastu,Nepal. D
where is the market for the castor beans and whom do I contact
I am a castor seed farmer with over 20 hecrares. For more information about castor seed from land selection to oil processing ,you can add me on whatsapp +2347032165844
This is an excellent article
Hi please help with as much information as iam very much intrested in castor oil farming and please share information on were to sell the castor beans when harvested including the prices and the quality required thanks
Very nice information about growing castor plants, but how can I get the seed or seedlings
Do deer eat the plants
Pls call me on 08030661458.Do u want Indian brown or Brazilian white castor seeds.
What about the marketing? How much is 1 kilo or 1 tone? How can I be linked up with buyers?
I do love and highly interested in Castor Oil plant cultivation, kindly add me to the group my WhatsApp number is 08060927221
I am interested in farming with castor seeds.I need to know where the market is and if it is possible to export the beans from South Africa to markets on the African continent.Lastly if someone can advise me as to the value of the beans per ton. thank you in advance.
my contact number is +27 844674427 (also for whatsApp)
I like the link, please add my name
Hi guys Thanks for the very informative information. I will to have seeds . Share with existing farmers and want to be farmers. I am ving talks with some big buyers and ready to share the volumes . Guys when sharing your contact details add country code . Whatsapp contact : +27 73 117 8911 Yerima
Nice writeup. Could I be added to group forum please
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