I just planted two castor bean plants (Ricinus communis) this past week. But I'm not sure, are they winter hardy in the Vancouver area? I am reading contradictory information about whether it is hardy in zones 8 & 9, which I think is roughly our local USDA hardiness zones. I also hear that this will be a severe winter, as the snow on the local mountains yesterday morning would also suggest. Any advice? Should I dig one up, and overwinter it in the basement, or risk leaving them both out for the winter? They don't have seeds yet, so I don't have that option if I lose them.
They will not survive a winter outdoors here. They barely thrive in our cool summers. They are usually planted from seed and grown as annuals in northern areas.
No harm in trying - if you have the room. I don't think they can handle anything lower than -3C or -5C. Mine was looking pretty bad after those temps.