Skip to content

Volume Discounts Apply At Checkout

Cinnamomum verum

About Your New Cinnamomum verum

Cinnamomum verum, True Cinnamon, is the evergreen tree that supplies true cinnamon bark, native to Sri Lanka and southern India. It carries broad glossy leaves that emerge deep pink to bronze before hardening to dark green, and both leaves and bark are strongly aromatic when crushed. Small pale yellow flowers appear in summer.

Growth runs 60 to 90 centimetres a year to around 3 to 6 metres in cultivation, taller in ideal tropical conditions. It needs full sun to light shade, fertile well drained soil and steady moisture. Frost sensitive, so it belongs in Brisbane, Darwin, coastal northern New South Wales and frost free pockets further south.

It is grown as a feature tree in tropical and subtropical gardens, as an aromatic screen when planted 1.5 to 2 metres apart, or in a large pot on a protected terrace. Edible garden projects value it for the bark and leaves, while the pink new growth carries ornamental interest through the warm months.

Frequently Asked Questions

About True Cinnamon

What is Cinnamomum verum?

Cinnamomum verum is the true cinnamon tree, an evergreen native to Sri Lanka and southern India, and the source of the spice sold as Ceylon cinnamon. It has glossy leathery leaves that flush pink to bronze as they emerge, small pale yellow summer flowers and highly aromatic bark. It is a different species to the weedy camphor laurel.

How big does the cinnamon tree grow?

In Australian gardens it usually settles at 3 to 6 metres tall with a canopy 2 to 4 metres across, though it goes taller in wet tropical conditions. Growth is 60 to 90 centimetres a year while young. It can be held smaller by pruning, and is often coppiced low when grown for bark.

Is Cinnamomum verum frost tolerant?

No. It is frost sensitive and the young growth is damaged by even light frost, so it needs a frost free position or good overhead protection. In marginal districts, plant it against a north facing wall, under high canopy, or grow it in a container that can be moved undercover through winter.

Where does it grow best in Australia?

Best in the tropics and subtropics: Cairns, Townsville, Darwin, Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast and the northern New South Wales coast. It also succeeds in warm frost free pockets of Sydney and Perth given shelter and reliable water. Cool temperate gardens are too cold for it outdoors, though it grows well in a heated glasshouse.

Can it grow in pots?

Yes, and a pot is the usual approach in cooler districts. Use a container of 50 centimetres or more with a good quality mix, keep it in a warm sheltered spot with morning sun, and water consistently. Growth stays more compact in a pot, and the container can be shifted under cover before winter.

Can you harvest cinnamon from this tree?

Yes. The spice comes from the inner bark of young stems, which are cut low and stripped, then dried until the strips curl into quills. Trees are usually coppiced from about two years old and reshoot readily from the base. The leaves can also be used fresh or dried, with a milder, more clove like flavour.

How do I care for a cinnamon tree?

Keep the water up through the warm months, as it dislikes drying out, and mulch well to hold moisture. Feed in spring and again in summer with a complete fertiliser. Prune after the main growth flush to shape it or to hold the height down. Shelter it from cold wind and frost, which is the main risk in southern gardens.

Evergreen Trees Direct Has Been Featured In:

Load video:

Plant Your Cinnamomum verum With:

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

Type: Garden Supplies

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

Regular price $21.95
Sale price $21.95 Regular price
Murraya paniculata Orange Jasmine

Type: Hedging and Screening Trees

Murraya paniculata Orange Jasmine

Regular price From $30.00
Sale price From $30.00 Regular price
Correa alba White Correa

Type: Australian Native

Correa alba White Correa

Regular price $180.00
Sale price $180.00 Regular price
Leptospermum obovatum 'Starry Night' – Starry Night Tea Tree

Type: Australian Native

Leptospermum obovatum 'Starry Night' – Starry Night Tea Tree

Regular price From $250.00
Sale price From $250.00 Regular price
Acacia cognata ‘Copper Tips’ - Evergreen Trees Direct

Type: Australian Native

Acacia cognata ‘Copper Tips’

Regular price From $150.00
Sale price From $150.00 Regular price

Uses in my Garden

  • Feature Tree
  • Shrubs
  • Plant in Pots (or) Suitable for Pots
  • Council or Civic Landscapes

Cinnamomum verum works in an:

  • Edible Garden – integrates fruit, herbs, and productive plants.
  • Tropical Garden – lush, leafy planting for a resort-style atmosphere.
  • Cottage Garden – romantic mix of flowers, colour, and texture.
  • Heritage / Traditional Garden – timeless, classic plantings for period homes.

youtube Load video:

Planting Information

youtube Load video:
Evergreen Trees Direct
Evergreen Trees Direct
Evergreen Trees Direct

Elevate Your Garden

Follow Us On Instagram

@evergreentreedirect
Evergreen Trees Direct
Evergreen Trees Direct