Cinnamon Tree Live Plant – Cinnamomum verum – 6 inch Pot – Indoor/Outdoor

Overview

Cultivate the delightful aroma and flavor of the tropics right in your own home or garden with this exquisite cinnamon tree live plant. Known botanically as Cinnamomum verum (formerly Cinnamomum zeylanicum), this evergreen tropical tree is the source of true Ceylon cinnamon, a highly prized spice. This particular offering is for a healthy, vibrant specimen in a 6 inch pot, ready to thrive in its new environment. While capable of reaching up to 50 feet in its native habitat, it can be easily maintained at a manageable size through pruning, making it suitable for container growing. Its leathery, green elliptical leaves are fragrant when crushed, and the bark, when mature, yields the sweet and warm spice we all know and love. Beyond its culinary appeal, this aromatic spice plant also offers significant ornamental beauty, making it a wonderful addition to any plant collection.

The cinnamon tree live plant is a fascinating species, native to Sri Lanka and Southern India, where it has been cultivated for centuries. It produces small, inconspicuous yellow flowers arranged in clusters, followed by small, dark purple drupes. The real treasure lies in its inner bark, which is carefully harvested, dried, and then used to create the fragrant cinnamon sticks and powder. With proper cinnamomum verum care, you can enjoy a continuous supply of this delicious spice, adding a unique and rewarding dimension to your gardening and culinary adventures. This plant is not just a decorative item; it’s a living source of one of the world’s most beloved spices.

Key Benefits

Owning a cinnamon tree live plant offers a multitude of benefits, from enhancing your culinary skills to beautifying your living space. This versatile plant is a true asset for any gardener or food enthusiast. Discover the joy of nurturing your own source of this incredible spice.

• Culinary Delight: Harvest your own fresh cinnamon bark to infuse a unique, warm, and sweet flavor into both sweet and savory dishes. Nothing compares to the fresh taste derived from your own aromatic spice plant.
• Aromatic Foliage: Even before harvesting bark, the leaves of the cinnamon tree live plant release a pleasant, spicy fragrance when touched or crushed, naturally scenting your home or garden.
• Ornamental Value: With its lush, evergreen foliage and attractive growth habit, the cinnamon tree is a beautiful addition to any patio, sunroom, or tropical-themed garden.
• Educational Experience: Learn firsthand about the source of a globally beloved spice, understanding the process from cultivation to harvest. It’s a fantastic project to grow your own cinnamon.
• Air Purification: Like many houseplants, the cinnamon tree can contribute to improved indoor air quality, making your living space healthier and more pleasant.
• Unique Gift Idea: A live cinnamon tree makes a thoughtful and unique gift for gardeners, foodies, or anyone who appreciates exotic and useful plants.
• Tropical Ambiance: Create a lush, tropical atmosphere in your home or garden, complete with the exotic scent and appearance of a true Ceylon cinnamon tree.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Providing optimal cinnamomum verum care is crucial for a thriving plant that will reward you with its beauty and potential spice. These tropical evergreens prefer warm, humid conditions and consistent moisture. When considering where to place your cinnamon tree live plant, choose a spot that receives partial to full sunlight. Ideally, it should get at least 4-6 hours of direct sun daily, but protection from the harsh midday sun, especially in hot climates, is beneficial to prevent leaf scorch. If growing indoors, a south or west-facing window is usually best, or consider supplementing with a grow light during shorter days.

Soil requirements for your aromatic spice plant are straightforward: it needs well-draining soil rich in organic matter. A good mix can be achieved by combining garden soil with compost and sand, or using a high-quality potting mix formulated for tropical plants. Consistent watering is key; keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged. Allow the top inch of soil to dry slightly between waterings, reducing frequency during the cooler winter months when the plant’s growth slows. Cinnamon trees thrive in tropical and subtropical climates, ideally with temperatures between 60-80°F (15-27°C) and high humidity. Protect your plant from frost and cold drafts, as these can be detrimental. If temperatures drop below 50°F (10°C), it’s best to bring container-grown plants indoors.

To encourage vigorous growth and a healthy cinnamon tree live plant, apply a balanced liquid fertilizer (such as a 10-10-10 or similar) every 2-3 months during its active growing season (spring and summer). Pruning is also an important aspect of cinnamomum verum care, especially if you plan to harvest bark or wish to maintain a specific size and shape. Regular pruning helps to encourage new growth, remove any dead or diseased branches, and can keep the tree compact for container cultivation. With these care tips, your tree will flourish, allowing you to eventually grow your own cinnamon spice.

Size & Details

This offering is for one healthy cinnamon tree live plant, carefully grown and shipped in a 6 inch nursery pot. At the time of shipment, the plant will be similar in size and appearance to those pictured, typically standing between 8-15 inches tall, depending on current growth. While cinnamon trees can reach impressive heights of up to 50 feet in their natural environment, this specimen is ideal for container cultivation and can be maintained at a much smaller, manageable size through regular pruning, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor settings. Its growth rate is moderate, allowing you to enjoy its development over time.

The plant will arrive carefully packaged to minimize stress during transit, ensuring it reaches you in excellent condition. It is a juvenile plant, meaning bark harvesting will not be possible immediately. Typically, a cinnamon tree needs to be at least 2-3 years old and have a trunk diameter of about 1-2 inches before the bark can be harvested without harming the plant. This aromatic spice plant is an investment in future flavor and beauty, providing a long-term gardening project that yields delicious rewards. Expect a robust root system and vibrant foliage, ready to adapt to its new home and begin its journey as your personal source of Ceylon cinnamon.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this plant get? A: While a cinnamon tree live plant can grow up to 50 feet tall in its natural habitat, this specimen is ideal for container growing and can be easily kept much smaller, typically 5-10 feet, with regular pruning.
• Q: What size pot does it come in? A: This cinnamon tree live plant is supplied in a 6 inch nursery pot, ready for you to transplant into a larger decorative container as it grows.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: This aromatic spice plant can be grown both indoors and outdoors. It thrives outdoors in USDA Zones 9-11 but can be kept as a beautiful houseplant in cooler climates, requiring protection from cold.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: Your cinnamon tree live plant prefers partial to full sunlight, ideally 4-6 hours of direct sun daily. Protect it from intense, harsh midday sun in very hot climates.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: With proper attention to its tropical needs, particularly consistent moisture, warmth, and humidity, cinnamomum verum care is moderately easy. It’s suitable for gardeners with some experience with tropical plants.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your cinnamon tree live plant will arrive carefully packaged to ensure it reaches you in healthy, vibrant condition, similar to the pictures provided.
• Q: Can I use the leaves for cooking? A: While the bark is the primary spice source, the leaves of Cinnamomum verum are also aromatic and can be used sparingly to impart a delicate cinnamon flavor to dishes or teas.
• Q: When is the best time to plant? A: For outdoor planting in suitable zones, spring or early summer is ideal. For indoor growing, you can plant your cinnamon tree live plant any time of year.
• Q: What’s the minimum temperature it can tolerate? A: The cinnamon tree live plant is sensitive to cold and should be protected from temperatures below 50°F (10°C) to prevent damage.
• Q: How long until I can harvest cinnamon bark? A: Cinnamon trees typically need to be at least 2-3 years old and have a trunk diameter of about 1-2 inches before you can begin to grow your own cinnamon and harvest the bark.