Cinnamon plants have glossy foliage and small flowers.
The bark and leaves are aromatic due to oils.
The inner bark of various species is used tomake cinnamon spice.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
Most gardeners start with young nursery plants rather than seeds.
Here are the main care requirements.
However, they will benefit from some afternoon shade in very hot and dry weather.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
Soil
Cinnamon plants prefer a rich, well-draining soil.
A sandy loam will work well.
Do not let the soil dry out completely.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
Temperature and Humidity
Cinnamon plants love awarm and humid climate.
In their native habitat, temperatures that average 80 degrees Fahrenheit promote healthy growth.
They don’t do well when temperatures fall below 40 degrees Fahrenheit or in very dry conditions.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
Fertilizer
Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in the planting hole to get your cinnamon plant started.
Then, fertilize every spring, following label instructions.
This technique results in it growing more like a bush over time.
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Cut off individual branches, or cut the entire tree at the trunk.
(Trees growing in the ground often produce new shoots that will become a new tree.)
Let the pieces dry indoors in a single layer for about a week.
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They will curl into the typical shape you see in cinnamon sticks.
Then, it’s possible for you to grind them or leave them in stick form.
How to Grow Cinnamon Plant From Seed
Birds relish the fruits of cinnamon plants.
The container also should have ample drainage holes.
Use a loose, well-draining potting mix, and water whenever the top inch of soil dries out.
Bring the plant outdoors during the summer to give its growth a boost in the sunlight.
Indoors, a south-facing window is ideal.
Mist your plant to boost humidity as needed.
And fertilize during the growing season (spring to fall) with a liquid fertilizer, following label instructions.
Apply an organic insecticide if the infestation is severe.
It can also look like the overall structure of your plant is shriveling.
The plant can recover if you remove the affected parts promptly and apply a fungicide.
To prevent it from reoccurring, spray with neem oil frequently.
If indoors, place your cinnamon plant near a sunny window.
If outdoors, choose a spot where the sun won’t be blocked by larger trees or structures.
While the foliage isn’t very fragrant, the trunk of the tree smells like cinnamon.
It’s the bark that is harvested and consumed.
Pennsylvania State University Extension Office.
Cinnamomum verum.North Carolina State University Extension.
