Ricinus are best sown late March - early April. They can be sown earlier, but will require plenty of light so they don’t become leggy.
Sow one seed to a depth of around 1" / 2-3cm, into a 9cm pot of compost. Keep the soil moist and position in a bright location. The roots of ricinus establish themselves very quickly, so pot on regularly (check for roots poking out the bottom of the pot). They can be planted out, preferably in full sun, once all risk of frost has passed.
We advise staking, once the plants become taller, especially if growing in an exposed area. If they are subjected to strong gusts of wind they may have a tendency to lean over, and it can be a little difficult in re-positioning them! However, the stems of these plants are particularly robust and we’ve never experienced any breakage.
Seeds can be harvested at the end of autumn, before the first frosts.
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