Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum)

Grow your own prized, aromatic spice tree right at home! Cinnamomum verum (commonly known as True Cinnamon or Ceylon Cinnamon) is famous worldwide for producing the sweet, warm, and highly fragrant spice harvested directly from its tender inner bark.

Unlike common cassia cinnamon, True Cinnamon offers a much sweeter, delicate flavor with lower levels of coumarin, making it the preferred choice for culinary connoisseurs. Beyond its culinary uses, Ceylon Cinnamon is an exceptionally attractive evergreen tree featuring glossy, dark green foliage with striking reddish-bronze new growth and sprays of delicate small flowers.

While native to Sri Lanka, True Cinnamon adapts surprisingly well to Perth’s warm climate when planted in a sunny, frost-free microclimate with protection from harsh winter winds.

Key Features

• Genuine Ceylon Spice: Yields authentic, sweet, highly aromatic cinnamon harvested from the soft inner bark of mature stems.
• Ornamental Foliage: Lush, leathery evergreen leaves that emerge in vibrant shades of bronze and red before turning glossy deep green.
• Compact & Prunable: Naturally grows as a small tree or large shrub (3m – 5m) and tolerates regular coppicing/pruning, making it ideal for suburban yards or large containers.
• Perth Climate Adaptable: Thrives during Perth’s hot, sun-drenched summers when given adequate moisture and a sheltered position.
• Aromatic Garden Addition: Leaves and bark release a pleasant, warm spicy scent when crushed or brushed against in the garden.

Care & Growing Tips for Perth

• Position: Plant in a warm, sunny to partially shaded position protected from harsh winter frosts and dry easterly winds. A sunny microclimate against a wall or in a sheltered courtyard is ideal.
• Soil: Requires light, rich, exceptionally well-draining soil. In Perth's sandy ground, enrich heavily with organic compost, well-rotted manure, and soil improver. Highly sensitive to waterlogging.
• Watering: Keep soil consistently moist throughout spring and summer while actively growing. Mulch well around the root zone to retain moisture, but reduce watering slightly during cold winter months.
• Cold & Frost Protection: Young saplings are sensitive to severe cold and frost. Protect young plants with frost cloth or temporary shelter during their first few Perth winters.
• Pruning: Prune or coppice stems in early spring to encourage thick, bushy growth and produce fresh young shoots for bark harvesting.

Quick Specifications

• Botanical Name: Cinnamomum verum (syn. Cinnamomum zeylanicum).
• Common Name: True Cinnamon / Ceylon Cinnamon.
• Growth Habit: Compact, bushy evergreen tree or shrub.
• Mature Size: 3m – 5m height (easily kept 2m – 3m with regular pruning).
• Harvest Season: Year-round (stem harvesting once established, usually 2–3 years old).
• Pollination: Self-pollinating (Self-fertile).