Wild Castor Plant Care

Wild Castor (Acharia tragodes) belongs to the Achariaceae family within the Acharia genus. Wild Castor is native to the Cape Provinces in South Africa.

Wild Castor displays a tall, upright tree growth habit, reaching up to 15 ft tall with a spread of approximately 8 ft. Wild Castor produces small, fragrant white flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Wild Castor every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Wild Castor thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Acharia tragodes tolerates temperatures of 65–85°F. Wild Castor prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Rich, well-draining soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Wild Castor to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Wild Castor every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and rich, well-draining soil with high organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Wild Castor is suited to USDA Zone 13b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Wild Castor can spread to about 8 ft (2.4 m) and reach about 15 ft (5 m) tall. Space plants about 8 ft (2.4 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Wild Castor while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Wild Castor is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Wild Castor can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Wild Castor is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Wild Castor grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Wild Castor is native to the Cape Provinces in South Africa. In cooler regions, grow Wild Castor as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.