Ceylon cinnamon Cinnamomum verum
Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Lauraceae family, native to Sri Lanka. It grows 2–10 m (6.6–33 ft) tall and 2–5 m (6.6–16 ft) wide, wants full sun and high water, and is hardy to about 10 °C (50 °F). Space plants about 2 m (6.6 ft) apart.
Plan Ceylon cinnamon in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Ceylon cinnamon at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Lauraceae |
| Mature height | 2–10 m (6.6–33 ft) |
| Mature spread | 2–5 m (6.6–16 ft) |
| Spacing | 2 m (6.6 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5–6.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 10 °C (50 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 12) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 36 °C (97 °F) |
| Flowering | about 156–261 weeks after planting, for 4–9 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: inner bark (cinnamon quills), leaves (oil) |
| Native to | Sri Lanka |
| Common in gardens of | 🇮🇳 India, 🇮🇩 Indonesia, 🇲🇾 Malaysia, 🇵🇭 Philippines |
Is Ceylon cinnamon toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
True cinnamon is low in coumarin, unlike cassia.
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 Ceylon cinnamon
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and high 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 Ceylon cinnamon
- How far apart should I plant Ceylon cinnamon?
- About 2 m (6.6 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 2–5 m (6.6–16 ft).
- Does Ceylon cinnamon need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Ceylon cinnamon need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Ceylon cinnamon?
- It tolerates about 10 °C (50 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 12.
- When does Ceylon cinnamon flower?
- About 156–261 weeks after planting, for 4–9 weeks.
- Is Ceylon cinnamon poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. True cinnamon is low in coumarin, unlike cassia.
- What grows well with Ceylon cinnamon?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Ceylon cinnamon. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- PROSEA: Plant Resources of South-East Asia, PROSEA Foundation, Bogor
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- Coppiced every two years as a bush for bark; new leaves flush red.
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
- Cassia (Chinese cinnamon) Cinnamomum cassia
- Sassafras Sassafras albidum
- California bay (Oregon myrtle) Umbellularia californica
- Peumo (Chilean acorn tree) Cryptocarya alba