Castor Bean

Some plants, while they have roles to play in your landscaping, are hardly conversation pieces. For example, catmint can be an excellent ground cover, but rarely will a visitor walk onto someone's landscape and remark, "Wow, look at that catmint!" It is not designed to evoke such a response—instead, its purpose is to play a supporting role. Castor bean plants (Ricinus communis), on the other hand, have star power. What gives castor bean plants their star power? Native to Africa and the Middle East, castor bean plants grow quickly, adding between 6 and 10 feet per growing season and featuring star-shaped leaves with vibrant red seeds. It can be planted straight into the garden in late spring or started from seed indoors about six to eight weeks before the last frost of the season. Castor bean plants are toxic to people, cats, and dogs.