By the way, let me know if it works out for you, and remember that Castor Beans are very very VERY Toxic, if you have small children these plants should be avoided, especially indoors!!!

Sarah

No kids and a cat that only eats dry cat food. She won't touch tuna or cat nip/cat grass. Finicky thing.

I started the seeds yesterday. We'll see how they germinate and grow.

I doubt that you will be able to find sufficient light for your plants without supplemental sources. And remember that there is no accounting for which plants a cat will find interesting. Although my cat has behaviors much like yours, I would never try to grow this plant inside.

The toxin is in the beans and the beans must be masticated to cause harm. Your cat is unlikely to chew beans.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:1871}}

That is not correct information, Albert. All parts of this plant is toxic. However, it is the beans from which the deadly poison Ricin is made. The chemicals found in the beans are also found throughout the entire plant, though in lesser amounts.

rhizo_1 is correct. Please ignore Albert's post(s).

The info I've been given in past is that it is good to START the castor bean plants inside - usually on a tall shelf so kids/pets can't get at them and then, when the plants are about a foot tall (and the temp. outside is warm) that's the time to put them out. I love the deep burgundy leaved ones and in my yard, they have grown huge, with leaves maybe 18 inches across. A good companion plant is the Mexican sun flower with its lovely deep orange-yellow blooms. Look great together!

I've grown this plant indoors over a yr. now,it's 5 feet tall,beautiful, and I don't pamper it.I love it,my cat ,pomchi don't bother any plants,and I have plenty.

So I was on this web site about 5 months ago and read your comments and thought I would try some that I had grown outside about 10 years ago I had put the dried seeds in a decorative bowl and they sat in my widow. So I planted 3 seeds and 2 came up which I transplanted to 10 inch pot. One did really well in medium light and semi humid environment developed some flowers and I ended up with 3 dried seeds in their husks which I scarified and replanted and the 3 seeds all have come up. we'll see where it goes from here. Ray Green

I start mine indoors but don't have the space for a plant in the house. I would imagine they would do well in a full sun location or indoor greenhouse. Very easy care, exotic looking plant!