Abstract: Ricinus communis is one of the top ten oil crops throughout the world. This plant has high economic value and strong stress tolerance. In order to comprehensively understanding the research status of physiological response to stress of this species, the physiological responses and mechanisms of castor to temperature, drought, salt-alkali stress and metal ion toxicity were summarized. We also analyzed the relationship between many physiological parameters (such as growth, photosynthesis, osmotic adjustment, antioxidant enzyme activity and gene expression) and stress factors, and put forward the research prospects based on these status. It is suggested that more attention should be paid to the physiological adaptation mechanism of castor to alkali stress, the functional analysis of important secondary metabolites for castor in response to the stress environments, and the interactions between castor and endophyte. This paper can provide scientific basis for the theoretical research of castor adverse biology and its application and promotion in production practice.