Purple Castor Bean
Ricinuscommunis 'New Zealand Purple'

Family: Euphorbiaceae (yoo-for-bee-AY-see-ee)
Genus: Ricinus (RISS-i-nus)
Species: communis (KOM-yoo-nis)
Cultivar: New Zealand Purple

Category
Shrubs

Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater

Sun Exposure
Full Sun

Foliage
Evergreen

Foliage Color
Blue-Green
Burgundy/Maroon

Height
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)
8-10 ft. (2.4-3 m)

Spacing
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)

Hardiness
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)

Where to Grow

Danger
All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested

Bloom Color
Red

Bloom Characteristics

Bloom Size

Bloom Time
Late Summer/Early Fall

Other details
May be a noxious weed or invasive

Soil pH requirements
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)

Patent Information
Non-patented

Propagation Methods
From seed; direct sow after last frost
Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season

Seed Collecting
Bag seedheads to capture ripening seed
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored