Beautiful, large, bronze-red leaves and scarlet seed heads create a dramatic, tropical effect in the garden. Heat- and fairly drought-tolerant, dwarf-sized plant attracts hummingbirds and other pollinators. Grown commercially for the extract of castor oil. CAUTION: Plant parts are extremely toxic if ingested, and some people experience contact dermatitis.

Variety Info

• Family: Euphorbiaceae
• Native: Africa
• Hardiness: Perennial in USDA zones 8-11; otherwise treated as an annual
• Exposure: Full sun
• Bloom Period: Summer to frost
• Plant Dimensions: 4'–6' tall
• Variety Info: Creamy yellow flowers followed by prickly scarlet husks that contain brown, speckled seeds.
• Attributes: Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Heat Tolerant

Sowing Info

• When to Sow Outside: RECOMMENDED. 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date.
• When to Start Inside: 6 to 8 weeks before your average last frost date, but because it grows so fast, we recommend sowing outside.
• Days to Emerge: 15–21 days
• Seed Depth: 1"
• Seed Spacing: 2 seeds every 4'
• Thinning: When 3" tall, thin to 1 every 4'