Cinnamon for plants: 8+Benefits and Ways to Grow Cinnamon in Your Garden

by Becky Decker and Anita Shan · June 25, 2024

I learned about the benefits of growing cinnamon in the garden from my neighbor, which motivated me to plant it without delay. It truly felt magical. You might be wondering what inspired me and what my neighbor said that I got convinced to grow cinnamon. Hold on, because you’ll find all the answers here.

In this informative guide, I explain the benefits of using Cinnamon for plants in the garden, how to grow and care for it, and other information that will help you decide whether to cultivate it or not.

What is Cinnamon?

Describing the presence of the cinnamon plant that is glossy foliage and small flowers in which bark and leaves are aromatic due to the presence of oils. There are various species in which you can use the inner bark for making cinnamon spice. The growth rate of cinnamon species is slow to moderate and can be perfectly planted in the spring or early fall. They are perfect to grow in a warmer climate, with plenty of light, and rich soil.

Common Names	Cinnamon, cassia
Botanical Names	Cinnamomum spp.
Family	Lauraceae
Plant Type	Tree, shrub
Mature	Size 3 to 60 ft. tall, 2 to 20 ft. wide (depends on variety)
Sun Exposure	Full, partial
Soil Type	Loamy, well-drained
Soil pH	Acidic to neutral (6.2–7.2)
Bloom Time	Summer
Flower Color	White, yellow
Hardiness Zones	10–12 (USDA)
Native Area	Asia

Cinnamon for plants: 8+Benefits and Ways to Grow Cinnamon in Your Garden

How does Cinnamon Work in the Garden?

Well, talking about the working of cinnamon it is easy to just show to prove that cinnamon has antifungal properties and will magical results when you use it in the garden but I will not do this because I think it’s important to explain working and benefits of cinnamon in the garden so that there is no doubt left.

During an experiment, they may use a specific type of cinnamon in an extracted form in a test tube, and comparing it with cinnamon which is extracted from a different plant in the form of powder and then used by spray bottle is totally different.

Because they aren’t studying the powder which is found at the store and that is more expensive when it is present in an oil form. So, does all this mean cinnamon powder is not good to use in a garden? No this is not true. Here I will say it’s worth exploring herbs that do have some effects on the garden but don’t expect any magic as suggested on the internet.

Also, I will recommend you make chamomile fungicide in the base which you can add cinnamon to if you want a natural fungicide for plants. Doing this means doubling up the efforts of making powerful antifungal ingredients.

Many studies are showing how effective cinnamon oil is at killing mosquito larvae and controlling thrips, and the bean weevil. Yes, it has the potential as a pest repellent and Hence it can be a great ingredient to be used for natural pest control spray. To explain more about the benefits of using cinnamon in a garden just scroll down and decide whether to have them or not.

9 Benefits of using Cinnamon In Gardens:

The following are some main benefits of using cinnamon in your garden:

Using Cinnamon To Heal Plant Cuts:

They do have antibacterial and antifungal properties which make them best for use as healing plant wounds.
During the process of pruning off large branches, you can dip the open cut into a cinnamon which will help to seal and protect the open wound.
In case when a branch or stem gets damaged, here you can apply cinnamon to the area to help you heal the plant by protecting every damaged area from disease or fungus.
The sap present in the plant easily absorbs the cinnamon however, you can also add some water to the cinnamon to make a paste form which will stick to the open-cut with ease.

Using Cinnamon To Deter Rabbits, Squirrels, Chipmunks & Mice:

To protect the potted plants and containers from rabbits, squirrels, and more using cinnamon was an excellent solution.
In the case of squirrels and cinnamon, they don’t like the smell or taste of cinnamon.
When you sprinkle cinnamon all around plants, pots, and containers will help in keeping the pest away from the plant.
Many people who are bird lovers use a bit of cinnamon all around their bird feeders which helps in keeping squirrels away.
There is a long list of animals that don’t like the scent of cinnamon.
When you sprinkle cinnamon all around the edge of containers and baskets where the pest does leave and move on.
Yes, cinnamon does have a strong smell that does not cause any harm to any plants.
Using cinnamon does have antibacterial qualities that help to prevent mold or mildew from appearing on the soil surface, resulting in protecting the plant.

Prevent Damping Off:

Young seedlings get damp off which kills them easily which is common to see for those who raise transplants indoors from seed.
Keeping the soil overly moist will create an environment for fungus to develop.
The fungus grows in the soil and spreads easily to the seedlings.
Yes, it is possible to treat damping off seedlings by using cinnamon that prevents fungus from growing with a simple, two-pronged approach.
In the case of using cinnamon as a damping-off agent, you need to mix one tablespoon of cinnamon powder in a half quart of water.
Doing this will result in creating an anti-fungal solution that is completely organic and natural.

Ways to use cinnamon for protecting plant seedlings:

Firstly sprinkle cinnamon on the soil of seedlings trays which will help in keeping them away from damping.
To use the solution, just pour it over the soil bed of plant seedlings.
After which sprinkle a light coat of ground cinnamon at the soil surface.
All these combinations will allow the seedlings to grow without worrying about deadly fungus development.

Repelling Ants:

Yes, cinnamon is a great natural solution to be used for repelling ants.
The pungent scent of the cinnamon helps to repel ants in your garden on annual and perennial flowers.
Ants don’t like cinnamon powder and avoid coming out their way.
To protect the plants from ants just sprinkle cinnamon all around the base of the plant.
For a large area of plants just sprinkle all over the soil and then at the outer edge of the bed.
If you are having ants in raised beds, mix the cinnamon directly into the soil which will keep them away from creating any tunnels in the space.
Using cinnamon is also possible to prevent ants in a child’s sandbox. You need to mix the cinnamon with sand to keep ants far away.
To use as home protection sprinkle cinnamon at the door or entry points.
There is a possibility of using cinnamon sticks which have a strong smell of spice that keeps ants away.

Prevent Mold / Algae On Potted Plants & Houseplants:

Formation of molds on potted plants, hanging baskets, and houseplants at the top of their soil is common which is caused because of an overabundance of moisture, with minerals.
It’s not just mold forming there; you can see algae which will harm the plants.
To get rid, sprinkle ground cinnamon or cinnamon powder on all soil surfaces it will kill fungi, mold, and algae.

Ways to get rid of mold on potted plants:

The formation of mold and fungus on the top of potted plants gets eliminated by the process of sprinkling cinnamon on the top of the soil.
While planting or repotting plants in an outdoor container, mix cinnamon powder into the soil which will help in preventing mold and fungus from the start.
For treating mold using cinnamon powder adds benefits to the roots of plants that grow better well.

Cinnamon As A Rooting Agent:

The cinnamon does have natural fungicidal properties that are extremely helpful to the rooting of new cuttings.
Using cinnamon acts beneficial to the spores and helps in preventing stem cuttings from rotting.
Using cinnamon helps the cutting root to grow better.
If you use cinnamon in roots it will bring twice the growth of stem cutting, if you mix it with rooting hormones.
To use rooting hormone, you need to pour a spoonful of cinnamon powder on a hard surface.
The next step is to dampen the ends of the cutting and keep into the cinnamon powder.
The coating of cinnamon helps in protecting the exposed roots from fungi that will help in root growth.
The organic contents of cinnamon are best for increasing the root growth of plants.

Deters furry pests:

The cinnamon used outside of the garden helps in deterring rabbits, squirrels, and even moles.
Talking about small critters they use to fly close enough to the ground will get cinnamon on their face and breathe it in and this will irritate the mucous membranes of their nose and mouth but will not cause permanent harm and results in deterring them from visiting again in the garden.

Flying bug deterrent:

The oil extract from cinnamon is used as a deterrent for flying bugs like mosquitoes.
To treat the plants from flying bugs, just dusted cinnamon around the garden and see the effect.

Cinnamon for house plants:

Using cinnamon helps in getting rid of molds and mildew that grows in houseplants too.
You need to sprinkle a bit of cinnamon on the soil surface to treat the plant.
Growing fungus will seem as discolored spots on the soil.
Using cinnamon around the house plants will also help in getting rid of gnats by destroying the fungus at which they feed on and will kill gnats.

How to Stop Damping Off and Other Fungal Issues:

It’s not always about treating a fungal issue to need to focus on ways to prevent them from coming in the place again which is the most effective strategy. To help you in preventing fungal diseases below are a few tips you need to follow:

Sterile ingredients:

Using sterile ingredients helps not to stimulate fungal or bacterial growth.
The ingredients present in the soil in which most of them don’t have active biology except the compost.
In case of using compost inside the home remember to bake the moist soil in the sun or in an oven at 180° F for 30 minutes.
Talking about leftover compost, just store it in an airtight container for using it in future indoor and seed-starting potting mixes.

Watering requirements:

Ensure not to water the plant overhead. The right way to water them is to focus on the base of the plant where they used to soak into the soil, and roots not just wetting the leaves.
Remember to water the plant early in the day so that excess moisture gets evaporated in the sun rather than make the plant sit overnight.

Location:

You need to keep the plant in an ideal location like putting pretty annual plants in shady spots rather than keeping them in full sun which they don’t ask for. This condition of growing is too damp and will encourage fungal growth at that place.
Avoid crowding of the plants so that plants get the right space for airflow.
The air circulation is actually important for preventing fungal growth.

Cinnamon Plant Care:

The cinnamon plant is a tropical plant that grows perfect in a warm climate hence if you live in USDA hardiness zones 10 to 12 then it’s perfect for cinnamon plants outdoors. Most gardeners decide to plant them using young plants rather than using seeds. The following are some main care requirements:

Grow it in a location that provides enough space for the mature size of the plant.
You need to plant them in a location where it get enough sunlight and is not in any shaded area under larger trees and shrubs.
Always use rich soil that is amended with compost.
Make sure to water the plant deeply and don’t let the soil dry out.
There is a need to fertilize the plant while growing and every spring.
You will notice the cinnamon tree trunk and branches having light brown and green bark with bright green leaves.

Let’s understand in detail:

Light:

They require full sun which means at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight which is considered best for cinnamon plants.

Soil:

Talking about soil condition it should be rich, well-draining soil. For example, sandy loam soil will be great. They don’t grow in waterlogged soils so avoid using heavy clay or hardpan soils because it will not result in success.

In case of not having suitable growing soil then grow cinnamon in a container so that you can provide the plant with well-drained, sandy loam soil as per their need.

Water:

Now you know these species are tropical plants that used to get regular rainfall so try mimicking the same. Never let the soil dry out completely so that you can water the plant whenever you see the top 2 inches of the soil dry. I will suggest you use mulch to keep the roots cool and maintain soil moisture.

Temperature and Humidity:

Cinnamon plants love to grow in warm and humid climates having temperatures that are average 80 degrees Fahrenheit for promoting healthy growth of the plants. The plant will not grow well when the temperature falls below 40 degrees Fahrenheit or in dry conditions.

In case you live in a cold climate falling in a cold hardiness zone then you can grow cinnamon in a container which you can keep in a greenhouse or keep in a container outdoors during the summer season.

Fertilizer:

Try using a balanced, slow-releasing fertilizer in a container with a hole for good drainage. Following the label instructions to learn ways to use fertilizer every springtime.

Propagating Cinnamon Plant:

The perfect time for propagating cinnamon plants from stem cutting is during spring or early fall. Here are some steps that will help you propagate the cinnamon plant:

Firstly take a cutting that is 6 inches long then strip off the lower half of the leaves.
Now plant the cutting in a motif potting mix and make sure to keep the place warm. That’s why I just keep them on a sunny windowsill.
Check the cutting for slow-forming roots which do take several months to grow.
It’s time to transplant outdoors in a pre-dug hole that is large enough to get a set root ball and at last, fill the top back with soil.

How to Grow Cinnamon Plants from Seed

Yes, birds love to eat fruits of cinnamon plants but if you can save some then it’s possible to grow cinnamon plants from seed. Here are some steps that will help you in growing cinnamon plants from seed:

Firstly, clean off each berry pulp from the seeds and dry them completely.
You need to plant the seed while it’s fresh because it loses growth ability quickly.
Next, make sure to plant them an inch deep in pots and fill it with sterile seed starting mix.
Maintain the moist and warm all around the plant i.e. 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
The seed germination process should begin in about 3 weeks so keep an eye.
At last transplant the plant into a larger container.

Types of Cinnamon Plant:

The following are some species of cinnamon plant:

1. Cinnamomum verum: They are also called true cinnamon or Ceylon cinnamon which is mostly famous for their superior flavor.

2. Cinnamomum cassia: They are also called Chinese cassia which is considered the common type of cinnamon that is sold in North America.

3. Cinnamomum loureirii: They are also commonly known as Saigon cinnamon or Vietnamese cinnamon which has a strong flavor and aroma that is available at a premium price.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases:

If the cinnamon plants are affected by any fungal diseases it will cause the plant to grow under stress which could be because of excessively wet and shady conditions. Many insect pests have a bad impact on cinnamon plants such as the cinnamon butterfly and cinnamon gall mite. If the plant has leafminers it will cause leaf drop and mealybugs will cause the foliage to get damaged. To cure the plant use organic insecticide.

Common Problems with Cinnamon Plants:

Cinnamon Plants will face various problems if the plant does not receive proper care. It leads to various pests, diseases, and other problems explained below. These problems can cause severe damage if they are not treated on time. So, look after those common problems that have been explained below.

Leaves are Turning Yellow:

Noticing foliage turning yellow and leaves dropping which is a clear sign of the plant getting too much water.
The plant may look like shriveling the overall structure.
In case you are growing the plant outdoors and you are watering the plant with any schedule in which the soil is not getting time to dry out completely.
You need to note all rainfall patterns so that you don’t water the plant when it’s not needed.

Brown Specks are on Leaves:

Finding brown specks on the foliage is the sign named Lead spot which is caused because of fungus and due to which the plant gets irregular patches and ends with eating all the leaves.
The plant easily recovers by removing the affected leaves and then applying fungicide.
To prevent the situation from occurring again spray the plant with neem oil.

Conclusion:

I think now it will be clear to you how much benefits the cinnamon plants give to our garden and protect the plant from unwanted creatures. If you are planning to grow them in your garden make sure to read the steps to grow and care that will help you in getting the best result.