Cassia (Chinese cinnamon) Cinnamomum cassia
Cassia (Chinese cinnamon) (Cinnamomum cassia) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Lauraceae family, native to Southern China (Guangxi, Guangdong) and Vietnam. It grows 3–15 m (10–49 ft) tall and 3–8 m (10–26 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -2 °C (28 °F). Space plants about 3 m (10 ft) apart.
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Cassia (Chinese cinnamon) at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Lauraceae |
| Mature height | 3–15 m (10–49 ft) |
| Mature spread | 3–8 m (10–26 ft) |
| Spacing | 3 m (10 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 4.5–6.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -2 °C (28 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 36 °C (97 °F) |
| Flowering | from about June for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: bark (cinnamon), unopened flower buds, leaves (oil) |
| Native to | Southern China (Guangxi, Guangdong) and Vietnam |
| Common in gardens of | 🇨🇳 China, 🇻🇳 Vietnam, 🇮🇩 Indonesia, 🇮🇳 India, 🇺🇸 United States |
Is Cassia (Chinese cinnamon) toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: bark, oil
Cassia is high in coumarin, which can harm the liver in people who eat a lot of it daily; the EU sets coumarin limits for cinnamon foods. Cinnamon oil irritates skin and pets’ mouths.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Cassia (Chinese cinnamon)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
Keep apart or take care
- caution With Avocado: Laurel wilt (Raffaelea lauricola), carried by redbay ambrosia beetles, kills avocado and wild laurels such as redbay and sassafras in the south-eastern US. Evidence B
Questions about Cassia (Chinese cinnamon)
- How far apart should I plant Cassia (Chinese cinnamon)?
- About 3 m (10 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 3–8 m (10–26 ft).
- Does Cassia (Chinese cinnamon) need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Cassia (Chinese cinnamon) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Cassia (Chinese cinnamon)?
- It tolerates about -2 °C (28 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Cassia (Chinese cinnamon) flower?
- From about June for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Cassia (Chinese cinnamon) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people mildly toxic. Cassia is high in coumarin, which can harm the liver in people who eat a lot of it daily; the EU sets coumarin limits for cinnamon foods. Cinnamon oil irritates skin and pets’ mouths.
- What grows well with Cassia (Chinese cinnamon)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Cassia (Chinese cinnamon). Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Flora of China (eFloras), Missouri Botanical Garden & Harvard University Herbaria
- PROSEA: Plant Resources of South-East Asia, PROSEA Foundation, Bogor
Notes and assumptions
- Some databases still list it as Cinnamomum aromaticum. Glossy three-veined leaves flushing red. Cut back (coppiced) to a stool every few years and the young shoots peeled for thick bark: most "cinnamon" sold in North America and China is cassia, not Ceylon cinnamon.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Bay laurel Laurus nobilis
- Avocado Persea americana
- Camphor tree Cinnamomum camphora
- Northern spicebush Lindera benzoin
- Ceylon cinnamon Cinnamomum verum
- Sassafras Sassafras albidum
- California bay (Oregon myrtle) Umbellularia californica
- Peumo (Chilean acorn tree) Cryptocarya alba