Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →

How to Grow Cinnamon

Growing a cinnamon tree (​Cinnamomum zeylanicum​) takes the concept of ​edible landscaping​ to a whole new level. This exotic tree, which comes from Southwest India, is the source of the spice cinnamon. The spice comes from its ​aromatic bark​. Cinnamon trees grow outside year-round in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 through 12. In colder regions, it grows well as a ​potted tree​, outside in summer and inside through the winter.

Growing Conditions

Grow cinnamon trees in ​full sun​, ideally in a spot that gets a full 12 hours of direct sun daily. This moisture-sensitive tree needs ​fast-draining​ soil. Sand or sandy loam works best. In wet areas or clay soil, the roots are prone to rotting. Space cinnamon trees at least 10 feet apart and 10 feet from other landscape trees, buildings and structures.

Fertilizer and Watering

Fertilize cinnamon trees ​every four to six weeks​ from spring through fall with 8-3-9 fertilizer. Use 1/4 cups of fertilizer for each 15 square feet of root zone area.

Tip

The root zone starts at the base of the cinnamon tree extending past the canopy spread. It is 1 1/2 times the total diameter of the canopy. To see where the potential root zone is, stand under the outermost branches, then walk out half again the diameter of the canopy. This is the root zone. Measure the area and multiply the length by the width to get the square-foot measurement. For example, a cinnamon tree with a 4-foot-diameter canopy will have a root zone extending 6 feet from the trunk in all directions.

Spread the fertilizer from the drip line -- under the outer branches -- to the edge of the root zone. This concentrates the fertilizer on the feeder roots.

Allow the soil to dry out 2 inches deep between ​waterings​. Then water until the area is damp at least 12 inches deep from the base of the trunk out to the outer root zone area.

Container Growing

Cinnamon trees are ​frost tende​r, but that doesn't mean you can't grow them outside of the hardiness zone. In containers, cinnamon remains compact, growing 3 to 8 feet tall. Keep them outdoors in the summer and ​overwinter​ the trees as houseplants. You can also grow cinnamon trees in patio planters outdoors all year in USDA hardiness zones 10 through 12.

Grow cinnamon trees in a 12- to 24-inch-diameter planter. A deep pot, 20 inches tall, works well.

Tip

Make sure the planter has at least one hole in the bottom for ​drainage​. Cinnamon trees are particularly sensitive to moisture and will rot in a waterlogged pot.

Pot cinnamon in a ​fast-draining potting mix​, such as a mix of equal parts sphagnum peat moss and perlite.

Fertilize​ every 10 to 12 weeks from later winter through summer and early fall. Select a granular 8-3-9 fertilizer. Use 2 1/2 tablespoons for each 10 inches of pot diameter.

Overwintering Container-Grown Trees

Move cinnamon trees ​indoors​ to a bright room in late fall and keep the trees growing in a 60-degree Fahrenheit environment through the winter. Treat cinnamon as an indoor houseplant through the winter. Keep the soil moist by watering when the top 2 inches dry out, but discontinue fertilizing from fall through early winter.

Tip

Make sure cinnamon trees are inside before temperatures fall ​below 40 F​ because low temperatures can damage these cold-sensitive plants.

Related Articles

Key Lime Tree Fertilizer
Key Lime Tree Fertilizer
How to Grow Satsuma Fruit Trees
How to Grow Satsuma Fruit Trees
How to Grow Mango Trees in Pots
How to Grow Mango Trees in Pots
How to Grow Avocados in Georgia
How to Grow Avocados in Georgia
How to Grow Cashews Indoors
How to Grow Cashews Indoors
How to Grow a Clementine Tree in Your House
How to Grow a Clementine Tree in Your House
How to Care for an Indoor Orange Tree
How to Care for an Indoor Orange Tree
Olive Trees in the Northeast
Olive Trees in the Northeast
List of Tropical Trees
List of Tropical Trees
How to Look After a Dicksonia Antarctica Tree Fern
How to Look After a Dicksonia Antarctica Tree Fern
What Can Be Wrong When My Kumquat Tree Keeps Losing Leaves?
What Can Be Wrong When My Kumquat Tree Keeps Losing...
How to Fertilize a Ficus Tree
How to Fertilize a Ficus Tree
How to Grow Lime Trees Indoors
How to Grow Lime Trees Indoors
Garden Guides
×