Plant guide
Castor bean
Ricinus communis
Castor bean is highly poisonous to cats, especially its seeds. Suspected chewing or swallowing needs immediate veterinary advice, even if your cat seems well. Do not wait for symptoms.
What this guide covers: Ricinus communis only. Confirm the botanical identity; a photograph alone cannot establish plant identity.
Photo:
Photo details
Ricinus communis — Ricinus communis
By Jason Hollinger
License: CC BY 4.0
Resized and converted to WebP for display; botanical details unchanged.
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Photo:
Photo details
Ricinus communis — Ricinus communis
By Jason Hollinger
License: CC BY 4.0
Resized and converted to WebP for display; botanical details unchanged.
Castor bean seeds
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Keep away from cats. We do not recommend this plant for a home where cats could reach it.
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Look for Ricinus communis and check the selected variety. Listings and availability can change.
Plant identity
- Scientific name
- Ricinus communis
- Scope
- Species
- Family
- Not recorded
- Also known as
- No reviewed aliases available
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How to grow this plant
Ricinus communis only. Confirm the botanical identity; a photograph alone cannot establish plant identity.
- Light
- Sunny position
Full sun.
- Watering
Keep soil moist while establishing; avoid poorly drained conditions.
- Temperature
- Temperature range not yet established
Frost-sensitive; no preferred numerical temperature range established.
- Humidity
No specific humidity target established.
- Potting
- Rich, moisture-retentive soil with drainage.
- Through the year
- Protect from strong winds. Check local invasive-plant guidance. Keep seeds and prunings inaccessible to cats and children.
Growing-guide sources
- Ricinus communis ↗NC State Extension · Accessed 2026-10-16
Ricinus communis only. Confirm the botanical identity; a photograph alone cannot establish plant identity.
Growing advice reviewed 2026-10-16. Plant safety is assessed separately.
Reviewed safety information
- Toxic principle
- Not recorded in the reviewed evidence
- Reported signs
- Not recorded in the reviewed evidence
- Severity
- Severity not established
Missing information is unknown. It should not be interpreted as an absence of risk.
Safe alternatives
No verified alternative recommendations are available for this guide.