Product Overview
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Ricinus communis
CROP YEAR: 2025 - Grown in southern IL at Interwoven
SEED TREATMENT: Soak seeds overnight before planting, or not, both worked for me.
STRATA: emergent
NOT EDIBLE - a medicinal oil is pressed from the seeds
While typically planted as an ornamental, I like to use castor as a support species in the vegetable garden. It is fast growing and can be used as a trellis. It can give some shade during the peak of summer, but can be pruned to open up the canopy as needed. When pruned the biomass can feed the soil as mulch, and it will quickly resprout, spreading invigoration to the entire plant community.
