Impala Castor Bean is a dramatic, fast-growing ornamental that reaches 4 to 6 feet tall in a single season, thriving in warm climates from zones 8 to 11. Despite its common name, this variety is primarily grown for its stunning deep purple foliage and architectural presence in the garden rather than for bean harvest. Sow seeds directly outdoors after the last frost, and you'll have a towering tropical specimen by midsummer that commands attention in any sunny border or container planting.
2
Full Sun
Moderate
8-11
72in H x ?in W
—
High
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Impala's rapid growth is genuinely remarkable; this cultivar shoots upward so quickly that direct sowing is actually recommended over indoor seed starting, since indoor-started plants will outgrow their containers before transplant time arrives. The deep purple coloring of the foliage is its signature feature, delivering bold color contrast that photographs beautifully and holds strong throughout the season in full sun. At mature heights of 4 to 6 feet, it creates an instant tropical accent that would take years to achieve with most shrubs.
While castor beans have a long history of use for oil extraction and traditional applications, the Impala cultivar is grown primarily as an ornamental plant in gardens and containers for its striking foliage and architectural form. Home gardeners cultivate it for dramatic seasonal height and color impact in borders, focal plantings, and large containers.
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You can start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your average last frost date, but direct sowing is actually recommended because Impala grows so fast that indoor-started seedlings quickly outgrow their containers before transplant time.
When transplanting, harden off seedlings gradually if they were started indoors. Transplant after all frost danger has passed and soil is warm, spacing plants according to mature size needs.
Direct sow outdoors 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date, when soil temperature has warmed. This is the preferred method for Impala because the cultivar grows so rapidly.
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