How to Grow and Care for Cinnamon Plants

Cinnamon refers to several evergreen trees of the genus Cinnamomum native to Sri Lanka, the Malabar Coast, and Myanmar. Dried cinnamon bark is a popular spice used in cooking and baking, either in ground or stick form. It has a strong, spicy, sweet flavor. Cinnamon essential oil also has antibacterial and antifungal properties and is used by gardeners to stave off root rot. The most popular varieties of cinnamon are:

• Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum): Also known as true cinnamon, Ceylon cinnamon has a delicate flavor and is often used in Mexican dishes like arroz con leche.
• Vietnamese cinnamon (Cinnamomum loureirii): Also known as Saigon cinnamon, this variety of cinnamon from Vietnam has a strong flavor and aroma that’s delicious in phở broth.
• Chinese cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia): Sometimes called cassia cinnamon, this is the kind of cinnamon most often found in grocery stores and is what most people think of when they imagine cinnamon sticks.

If you’re considering cultivating your own cinnamon tree, it’s important to keep in mind that cinnamon trees are native to tropical regions. Cinnamon plants can only truly thrive as outdoor plants in USDA Hardiness Zones 9–11. Otherwise, they’re best kept as houseplants, or kept outside only during the warmer months. With that in mind, here’s how to plant cinnamon outdoors:

1. 1. Look for a sunny spot. Plan to plant your cinnamon in spring or early fall in a spot that gets full sun (at least twelve hours a day). Your cinnamon plot should be at least four feet by four feet.
2. 2. Dig a hole. Dig a one foot by one foot hole in the plot.
3. 3. Prepare the bed. Fill the hole with a sandy, well-draining loam or potting mix with plenty of perlite. Cinnamon favors an acidic soil pH between 4.5 and 5.5, so work sphagnum peat moss into the mix if necessary to reach the right acidity level.
4. 4. Plant transplants or seeds. If transplanting a young tree from a nursery, loosen the root ball, place the tree in the hole, and cover with the soil. If growing from cinnamon seeds, fill the hole first and bury the seeds half an inch below the surface.
5. 5. Fertilize the bed. If transplanting, apply a slow-release fertilizer or layer of compost near the base of the plant. This is called side-dressing. You can skip this step and fertilize later if planting from seed

If you plan to grow your cinnamon in a pot, you’ll need to take special precautions.

1. 1. Choose a large pot with drainage holes. Make sure to use a pot with sufficient drainage holes and with enough space—one that measures at least twenty-four inches by twenty inches.
2. 2. Add mesh if needed. You may need to cover the pot’s drainage holes with mesh to keep the loose soil from falling out.
3. 3. Find a south-facing location. Place the pot in an area of your home that gets plenty of light, ideally by a window that faces south for maximum exposure.

Since cinnamon is a tropical plant, it requires plenty of moisture and very warm temperatures to thrive.

1. 1. Keep the soil moist. Every spring, apply plenty of mulch to the base of your cinnamon tree. Mulch helps retain moisture and heat. Water your cinnamon plant as needed, checking a few inches under the surface to see if the soil is dried out. If growing your cinnamon plant indoors, mist it regularly.
2. 2. Protect it from the cold. Bring your cinnamon tree inside if the outdoor temperature drops below 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. 3. Watch for pests and diseases. Keep an eye out for damaged branches or leaves and prune if necessary. Inspect the leaves of your cinnamon tree from time to time for mealybug or leaf miner damage, applying organic insecticide as needed.

Give your cinnamon tree two to three years after planting to fully develop. When the bark is brown and the leaves are firm, the plant is ready for harvesting. Carefully follow these steps to harvest its inner bark without damaging the tree:

1. 1. Remove branches. Using large pruners or a saw, either cut off some of the tree’s branches, or remove its main trunk if you’re ready to harvest the entire plant.
2. 2. Cut away the outer bark. Cut away the outer bark until you reach the yellow-orange inner bark. This is the new growth.
3. 3. Peel the inner bark. Peel away strips of the inner bark until you reach the core of the branch or trunk.
4. 4. Dry the inner bark. Set the peeled pieces in a single layer on a window screen or tray. They will curl as they dry until they resemble the cinnamon quills you’re used to.
5. 5. Store the cinnamon quills. Your cinnamon is now ready to use and will keep for years if stored in a dry, airtight container.

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