Hi
Yes there are different types of Castor bean plants. Im not sure of their names but there are the red ones that only reach a few feet in height.

I wouldnt suggest wintersowing these seeds as they are tender. You can however spring sow them. You can do so in containers or directly in the ground ... if you want a jump start you can use covered containers but make sure they are tall enought to accomodate the growth.
When you go to sow the seeds .. soak them and then nick the outter shell so that you can see the white flesh of the seed. In a week or so you should see growth. They are so easy to start even on a window ledge with good sunlight.

Hope this helps
Laura

Thanks so much peatpod. I'll save some of the red seeds from this year's crop, but I'm going to try to find the "other kind" of plants next year. I loved how they grew so big, and looked so tropical.

I also have the red kind. Last year they were 5 ft tall. This year only 2 feet tall. Last year I started them earlier and watered them more.

If there is a non-red kind that is bigger, I'd love to know more.

They are great plants but all parts of the plant are very poisonous so take the necessary precaution when handling them.

Ianna