Ricinus communis Honolulu

Ricin communis 'Honolulu' is a stunning variety of common castor oil plant with dazzling colours. This beautiful plant has a tropical appearance and temperament. It develops beautifully palmate leaves tinted with burgundy. Its young leaves are a beautiful bright red. It produces velvety flower spikes, which turn into round and spiky red fruits. It is a fast-growing plant. This frost-sensitive perennial is grown as an annual in our climates.

Ricin communis 'Honolulu' belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family. Its wild ancestor, the common castor oil plant, is native to Northeast Africa and Southwest Asia. It is a perennial of tropical and subtropical climates, forming a bush in its country of origin, but maintaining more modest dimensions in our climates, especially if grown in a container. The 'Honolulu' variety will still reach an average height and width of 1.75m (6ft) when planted in the ground, in the space of one season. This plant is characterised by superb foliage that is deeply palmate-lobed. It is red when young, then bright green to purple, and glossy like wax. The stems are also red. Flowering occurs from August to October. It takes the form of pyramidal clusters, with female flowers at the top and male flowers forming yellowish tufts at the base. The fruits are capsules with three prominent and rounded sides, loaded with spines. When ripe, they are scarlet red. The castor oil plant disperses by autochory: the fruit explodes violently when ripe and projects the seeds several metres away. The seeds are spread by birds and rains, and can remain dormant for several years. The plant's development cycle is rapid. All parts of the plant are highly toxic.

'Honolulu' quickly fills a corner of the garden, at little expense, for a guaranteed spectacle. To create a perfectly exotic setting, plant a Chinese windmill palm (Trachycarpus fortunei) and a Japanese banana tree (Musa basjoo) in the background. Plant it with hedychium, close relatives of ginger, or cannas.

Our advice: plant it with small annuals such as petunias and pansies. Place them in the foreground of flower beds, with the castor oil plant in the background.

Please be aware that our young plug plants are professional products intended for experienced gardeners. Upon receipt, transplant and store them under cover (veranda, greenhouse, cold frame) at a temperature above 14°C (57.2°F) for a few weeks before planting them outdoors once the risk of frost has passed.