Chinese cinnamon tree (Cinnamomum cassia)

Overview

The Chinese cinnamon tree (Cinnamomum cassia) is a medium-sized, broadleaf evergreen celebrated globally for its aromatic bark, the source of culinary cinnamon. Native to the lowlands of southern China, this specimen offers significant aesthetic appeal alongside its functional uses. It matures into a substantial tree, reaching heights up to 60 feet, making it a dramatic accent in suitable tropical landscapes.

As a member of the Lauraceae family, the Cinnamomum cassia thrives in tropical conditions, demanding consistent moisture and well-draining soil. Its low maintenance requirements and evergreen foliage ensure year-round interest. Gardeners in tropical zones embrace the Chinese cinnamon tree for its fragrance and utility.

For those outside tropical zones, the Cinnamomum cassia can still be enjoyed as a large container specimen, requiring overwintering indoors. Its leathery, fragrant leaves and eventual small white flowers contribute to its overall charm, solidifying its status as an important horticultural and culinary resource.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Lauraceae
• Plant Type: Broadleaf evergreen
• Native Range: East and southeast Asia
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 10-12
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 40-60 ft
  • Spread: 25-40 ft
• Bloom Time: Seasonal bloomer
• Bloom Description: White
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
• Water Needs: Medium
• Maintenance Level: Low

How to Grow

Planting the young Chinese cinnamon tree is best done when temperatures are consistently warm, accommodating its tropical origins. Ensure the location provides evenly moist, well-draining soil. While very young trees prefer partial shade to prevent leaf scorch, mature specimens can handle full sun, provided they are properly acclimated before exposure.

Watering must remain consistent; this species demands medium water needs and does not tolerate drought or significant dry spells. Maintenance is generally low once established, requiring no heavy pruning other than shaping if necessary. Propagation is achievable through softwood cuttings, air layering, or seed, offering gardeners multiple avenues to start new plants.

Crucially, Cinnamomum cassia cannot withstand freezing temperatures. In cold climates, plan to grow this tree in a container that can be brought indoors before the first frost. When moving overwintered plants outside in the spring, slowly acclimate them back to direct outdoor sunlight over several weeks to prevent burning the foliage.

Landscape Uses

The primary allure of the Cinnamomum cassia lies in its dual utility: it serves as a beautiful accent specimen and provides the highly aromatic bark used globally as spice. In tropical gardens, this evergreen structure provides excellent visual weight year-round. For flexibility, the Chinese cinnamon tree adapts well to being grown in large containers, allowing urban gardeners or those in marginally suitable zones to manage it as a patio feature or overwintered houseplant.

The leaves and bark are intensely fragrant, meaning placement near high-traffic areas or outdoor living spaces maximizes olfactory enjoyment. Beyond culinary uses, the essential oils derived from the bark and leaves are integrated into soaps, candles, and various health products, enhancing its functional value. Consider companion plantings that share similar medium water needs and prefer rich, well-drained soil to maintain a cohesive garden environment around your source for cinnamon.

Standout Features

Flower Qualities

• Insignificant

Noteworthy Characteristics

Cinnamomum cassia, commonly called Chinese cinnamon or cassia, is a medium sized, aromatic, evergreen tree native to the lowlands of southern China but cultivated throughout Southeast Asia. Mature plants will reach up to 60’ tall with a 40’ spread, featuring grey-brown bark up to 0.5” thick and glossy, narrowly elliptic leaves reaching 6–10 inches long. The small, white flowers appear in axillary panicles, followed by dark ellipsoid fruits; the specific epithet cassia refers to the bark being stripped and curled during harvest.

Tolerances

• Susceptible to fusarium root rot, witches broom, and various fungal leaf spots.

Potential Problems

The Chinese cinnamon tree is generally low maintenance, but growers should remain vigilant for common issues, particularly when the tree is young. Susceptibility to serious conditions like fusarium root rot requires meticulous attention to soil drainage; standing water is fatal. Fungal leaf spots can occur, especially in humid conditions, necessitating good air circulation around the canopy.

Pest management focuses primarily on smaller nuisances that target younger wood and foliage. Thrips, gall-forming mites, and leafhoppers are known to bother Cinnamomum cassia. Mature trees generally exhibit better resilience to these pests and diseases compared to their juvenile counterparts, emphasizing the need for careful protection during the establishment phase.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Chinese cinnamon tree suitable for?

The Chinese cinnamon tree (Cinnamomum cassia) is hardy in USDA Zones 10 through 12.

How large does Cinnamomum cassia grow?

When fully mature, this broadleaf evergreen typically reaches a height between 40 and 60 feet, with a spread spanning 25 to 40 feet.

What sun exposure does Chinese cinnamon tree need?

This tree prefers full sun to part shade. Young trees benefit from part shade, gradually tolerating more sun as they mature.

When does Cinnamomum cassia bloom?

The Chinese cinnamon tree is a seasonal bloomer, producing small, white flowers.

Conclusion

The Cinnamomum cassia, or Chinese cinnamon tree, offers gardeners a rare combination of structural beauty, year-round evergreen presence, and unparalleled culinary utility. Its aromatic bark and leaves make it a truly noteworthy addition to tropical landscapes or container collections. If you reside in USDA Zones 10-12, plan a planting location now that accommodates its mature size in well-draining soil.

Propagation Tips

Starting new Chinese cinnamon trees can be achieved through several recognized methods appropriate for evergreen hardwoods. Softwood cuttings taken during the active growth period offer a reliable way to clone desirable parent plants, provided rooting hormone and consistent humidity are maintained. Air layering is another effective, albeit slower, method to encourage root development on intact branches before severing them from the mother plant.

For those harvesting seed, the ellipsoid fruits mature to a dark black-purple color. While germination is possible from fresh seed, the process can be slow and inconsistent compared to vegetative propagation techniques. Success with any method hinges on replicating the warm, consistent moisture of the native East and southeast Asian environment.

Companion Planting

Success with Cinnamomum cassia is enhanced by pairing it with other tropical or subtropical plants that share similar needs for medium water and well-draining soil. Consider vibrant flowering shrubs like Hibiscus or Ixora, which thrive in the warm, humid environments this tree creates. These companions complement the Cinnamomum cassia’s large, leathery foliage without competing aggressively for resources.

Due to the Chinese cinnamon tree’s potential mature size, it is best used as a vertical anchor in the landscape, surrounded by lower-growing, shade-tolerant groundcovers where it is planted in partial shade. If used as a specimen in full sun, look for drought-tolerant, fragrant herbs or low tropical grasses that can handle consistent watering without developing root issues. Always maintain a clear, unplanted ring around the base of the tropical cinnamon tree to ensure excellent drainage and air circulation.