Plant Care Ricinus

Ricinus

About Ricinus

Castor Bean is a cultivated, annual herbaceous ornamental with low drought tolerance. If broken seeds are ingested, it is likely to cause death in humans, livestock, and pets.

Taxonomy

Ricinus communis
Ricinus
Euphorbiaceae
Malpighiales

Also known as

Castor Bean, Castor Bean, Castor oil plant and Ricininae

How to care for Ricinus

💦 Water

How often to water your Ricinus

Water needs for Ricinus
0.5 cups
every 9

Ricinus needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Calculate water needs of Ricinus

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

Select the pot size

5"
☀️ Light

Finding light for Castor Bean in your home

Light needs and placement for plant Ricinus: 1ft from a window
1ft or less from
a window

Ricinus love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Ricinus does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Ricinus in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Ricinus

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Ricinus: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Ricinus after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

💡 FAQs
⭐ Difficulty Level

Ricinus is generally considered an easy-to-care-for plant and makes a great choice for beginners!

Benefits of Growing Castor Bean →

Common Castor Bean Problems →


💦 Water Needs

Ricinus prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Castor Bean Water Frequency →

Castor Bean Root Rot →


☀️ Sunlight Needs

Ricinus requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Castor Bean Light Requirements →

Castor Bean Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →


🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Ricinus is extremely dangerous if consumed. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian immediately. Ricinus is not recommended for homes with children, cats, or dogs.


🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Ricinus can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 8a-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Castor Bean Temperature Tolerance →

Castor Bean Hardiness Zones →

Is Castor Bean a Weed? →


🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Ricinus, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!


🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.


Care Summary for Ricinus

Ricinus

Ricinus


Greg recommends:

Water

0.5 cups every 9 days

Placement

< 1ft from a window

Nutrients

Repot after 2x growth

Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.

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