how to grow cinnamon

Cinnamon is a tropical plant, so if you garden in a warm climate, USDA hardiness zones 10 through 12, you can grow cinnamon plants outdoors. Most gardeners start with young nursery plants rather than seeds.

How long does it take to grow cinnamon?

Wait until the tree is 2 years old before you harvest it.

You do not need to prune the tree since the harvesting process will take care of that. You’ll know when the tree is ready for harvesting when the bark turns brown and the leaves grow firm.

Can cinnamon trees grow in the US?

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.

Can I grow a cinnamon tree indoors?

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.

How do you harvest cinnamon from a tree?

To harvest it, you’ll need to cut down a section of the cinnamon tree and remove the outermost layer of bark. Use a paint scraper to scrape off the cinnamon layer in sheets, and then let the cinnamon dry in a warm environment. You can either grind the cinnamon into a powder or use it in its curled-up form.

Where does cinnamon grow best?

Most of so-called “true” cinnamon, or Ceylon cinnamon, comes from Cinnamomum verum trees grown in Sri Lanka. The video shows cassia cinnamon, two thirds of which is grown in Indonesia. The rest comes from China, Vietnam and Burma, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization.

Does a cinnamon tree smell?

Young leaves are lovely with a pink hue at emergence, gradually turning a dark green. The tree bears clusters of small star-shaped flowers in the spring, becoming small, dark purple fruit. The fruit actually smells like cinnamon, but the spice is actually made from the bark of the tree.

Can you plant cinnamon seeds?

Yes, you can grow cinnamon from seeds.

Are cinnamon berries edible?

They can be used as a substitute for cinnamon, ground fresh when ready to use. Use generously in desserts with apples, pears, stone fruit, berries or chocolate. The whole buds can be used in place of cloves for making spiced orange pomanders for the holidays or used in mulling spice blends and teas.

Is cinnamon tree fruit edible?

Description. These little fruit of the cinnamon tree are very sweet and warm. Their pointy end makes them a perfect substitute for cloves studded in orange to scent closets and drawers, and they are delicious brewed as tea.

Where does cinnamon tree grow?

Cinnamon is native to Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon), the neighbouring Malabar Coast of India, and Myanmar (Burma) and is also cultivated in South America and the West Indies. The spice, consisting of the dried inner bark, is brown in colour and has a delicately fragrant aroma and a warm sweet flavour.

Can you grow cinnamon in Florida?

Wild cinnamon plants are native to Florida and the tropical Americas and are found from Miami to Key West along the coast to Cape Sable, Florida. The species is listed as endangered in Florida and in general may be difficult to find since it is a lesser used horticultural specimen.