Intermediate
skill rating
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Ricinus communis 'Carmencita' (Castor oil plant 'Carmencita')
2 hours care
per year
per year
2m
Max height
Max height
1m
Max spread
Max spread
1 year
To maturity
To maturity
Low
Toxicity
Toxicity
Plant details
Botanical name
Ricinus communis 'Carmencita'
Other names
Castor oil plant 'Carmencita', Red castor oil plant, Red castor bean
Genus
Ricinus Ricinus
Variety or Cultivar
'Carmencita' _ 'Carmencita' is a tall, well-branched, evergreen shrub, usually grown as an annual, with lobed, dark bronze-red leaves, red stems, and bright red female flowers in summer followed by round, red-brown capsules covered in soft spines in autumn.
Ricinus communis 'Carmencita' is: Evergreen
Habit
Branching, Erect, Tall, Upright
Toxicity
All parts of the plant, particularly the seeds, are extremely poisonous if ingested. Contact with the foliage may cause skin irritation.
Flower
Red in Summer
Foliage
Bronze, Red in Spring; Red, Bronze in Summer; Red, Bronze in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Glasshouse red spider mite Glasshouse red spider mite
General care
Pruning
Deadhead regularly. May need restrictive pruning if grown under glass.
Propagation methods
Seed
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Where to grow
Ricinus communis 'Carmencita' (Castor oil plant 'Carmencita') will reach a height of 2m and a spread of 1m after 1 year.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Beds and borders, Greenhouse, Wallside and trellises
Cultivation
Outdoors, grown in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Use stakes if planted in exposed sites. Alternatively, grow under glass in loam-based compost in full light. Water freely in the growing season and sparingly in winter.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Tender in frost (H3)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Ricinus communis 'Carmencita'
Other names
Castor oil plant 'Carmencita', Red castor oil plant, Red castor bean
Genus
Ricinus Ricinus
Variety or Cultivar
'Carmencita' _ 'Carmencita' is a tall, well-branched, evergreen shrub, usually grown as an annual, with lobed, dark bronze-red leaves, red stems, and bright red female flowers in summer followed by round, red-brown capsules covered in soft spines in autumn.
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Branching, Erect, Tall, Upright
Toxicity
All parts of the plant, particularly the seeds, are extremely poisonous if ingested. Contact with the foliage may cause skin irritation.
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Colour
Flower
Red in Summer
Foliage
Bronze, Red in Spring; Red, Bronze in Summer; Red, Bronze in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
General care
Pruning
Deadhead regularly. May need restrictive pruning if grown under glass.
Propagation methods
Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Ricinus communis 'Carmencita' (Castor oil plant 'Carmencita') will reach a height of 2m and a spread of 1m after 1 year.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Beds and borders, Greenhouse, Wallside and trellises
Cultivation
Outdoors, grown in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Use stakes if planted in exposed sites. Alternatively, grow under glass in loam-based compost in full light. Water freely in the growing season and sparingly in winter.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Tender in frost (H3)
USDA zones
Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8
Defra's Risk register #1
Plant name
Ricinus communis 'Carmencita' (Castor oil plant 'Carmencita')
Common pest name
grape ground pearl
Scientific pest name
Margarodes vitis
Type
Insect
Current status in UK
Absent
Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
2
Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
5
General biosecurity comments
Main pathway; Vitis spp. plants for planting; already prohibited. However; further consideration of other pathways is required.
Defra's Risk register #2
Plant name
Ricinus communis 'Carmencita' (Castor oil plant 'Carmencita')
Common pest name
cotton mealybug
Scientific pest name
Phenacoccus solenopsis
Type
Insect
Current status in UK
Absent
Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
3
Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
3
General biosecurity comments
Watching brief for potential impact on tomato production in the Mediterranean. Other southern European countries likely to be more at risk. Precautionary action will be taken on findings on planting material to protect glasshouse crops and botanical gardens.
Defra's Risk register #3
Plant name
Ricinus communis 'Carmencita' (Castor oil plant 'Carmencita')
Common pest name
False codling moth
Scientific pest name
Thaumatotibia leucotreta
Type
Insect
Current status in UK
Absent
Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
2
Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
3
General biosecurity comments
Polyphagous pest; detected mainly on citrus and peppers. EU regulation under consideration following recurrent interceptions.
About this section
Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.
Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here
Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.
Date updated: 7th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Tender in frost (H3) | Tell us... |
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DISCUSS THIS PLANT
I've written an article about the Castor Oil Plant - also known as Ricinus communis and deadly poison
when to sow seeds in heated greenhouse.
ilex
ricinus
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