Castor Bean in Zone 8a & 8b
Ricinus communis
When to plant castor bean in zone 8b
Zones 8a and 8b share the same average frost dates in our data, so this page covers both.
Method: Direct sow: Direct-sow outside. Castor Bean doesn't transplant well, or doesn't need the extra time indoors.
| Start indoors | Not typically started indoors |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Apr 1–Apr 8 |
| Estimated bloom | Jul 10–Jul 17 (~100 days after direct-sowing) |
Spacing: about 10 square feet per plant (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 6-10 ft.
Castor bean is included here so this site can state plainly what it is, rather than leaving a gardener to find out from a packet that does not say.
How castor bean fits zone 8's season
Zone 8b's frost-free window runs about 230 days, from March 25 to November 10. Castor Bean needs about 100 days from sowing to first harvest.
Good companions
No standout companions recorded yet for Castor Bean.
Where to buy castor bean seeds
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing castor bean" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 8b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Castor Bean in USDA zone 8b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
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