The spice commonly known as cinnamon comes from the inner bark of an evergreen tree, Cinnamomum verum, which is often called Ceylon or “true” cinnamon. This plant is a tropical native of Sri Lanka and parts of South Asia, adapted to a hot and consistently humid environment. Cultivating this specific species requires attempting to replicate its native conditions, presenting a challenge for growers outside of the warmest tropical zones. Successfully growing Cinnamomum verum in Florida depends on managing the state’s climate variations and providing specific horticultural support.
Climate Feasibility and Suitable Regions in Florida
The survival of a true cinnamon tree is highly dependent on temperature, as the plant is extremely sensitive to cold and cannot survive frost. Temperatures falling below 50°F (10°C) can cause significant damage to the foliage. Ideal growth occurs in a range between 65°F and 95°F (18°C and 35°C), requiring year-round warmth.
Due to this cold sensitivity, cinnamon cultivation is realistically limited to the warmest parts of the state, specifically USDA Hardiness Zones 10 and 11. This includes the southern tip of the Florida peninsula, such as the Miami-Dade area, the Keys, and protected coastal microclimates. These regions rarely experience the freezing temperatures that would quickly kill an established cinnamon tree.
Gardeners in marginal areas, such as Zone 9b, may attempt to grow cinnamon, but it requires diligent winter protection. Even a brief, light frost can be lethal, making it necessary to cover the tree or use temporary heating during cold snaps. For those in cooler zones, growing the tree in a large container that can be moved into a greenhouse or indoors during winter is the only reliable method for long-term survival.
Essential Requirements for Successful Cinnamon Cultivation
Once a suitable, frost-free location is secured, attention must turn to the specific environmental inputs that allow the tree to thrive. True cinnamon requires bright sunlight for healthy growth, though young saplings benefit from protection against the intense, direct afternoon sun. Providing partial shade during the hottest part of the day can prevent leaf scorch.
The plant needs a soil structure that is rich in organic matter and highly porous to ensure rapid drainage. Sandy loam or similar well-draining soils are ideal, as the tree cannot tolerate standing water or waterlogged conditions. A slightly acidic to neutral soil pH, ideally between 5.5 and 7.0, is necessary to ensure the proper uptake of nutrients.
Consistent moisture is non-negotiable for cinnamon, replicating the high rainfall and humidity of its native tropical habitat. While the soil needs to drain quickly, it should never be allowed to dry out completely, meaning supplementary irrigation is often needed during Florida’s dry seasons. Utilizing a thick layer of organic mulch helps maintain uniform soil moisture and temperature.
Planting, Care, and Ongoing Maintenance
Growers can establish cinnamon either from fresh seeds, which take several years to produce a harvest, or more commonly from semi-hardwood cuttings or air layering. Cuttings are a more practical approach for home gardeners, as they produce a clone of the parent plant and reach a harvestable size sooner. When planting a nursery tree, incorporating compost into the planting hole and providing temporary shade for the first year helps reduce transplant shock.
To ensure a continuous supply of harvestable bark, the tree must be managed as a shrub through a technique called coppicing. After the plant has been established for about two to three years, the main trunk is cut back close to the ground, leaving a stump. This action forces the plant to sprout multiple, straight shoots from the base, which are the stems from which the spice is harvested in subsequent years.
Fertilization should be managed with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer applied annually in the spring to support vigorous growth. Regular observation is necessary for pest management, as cinnamon can be susceptible to pests like shoot borers and leaf-eating caterpillars. Fungal issues, such as leaf spot, are common in Florida’s humid environment, and these may require treatment with an organic fungicide like Bordeaux mixture.
Harvesting and Processing the Cinnamon Bark
The ultimate goal of growing the tree is the harvest of the inner bark, which typically begins two to three years after the initial planting or one year after the first coppicing. Harvest timing is important; it is best done during the rainy season or immediately afterward, as the increased humidity and sap flow allow the bark to peel more easily. Only stems between 1.2 and 5 centimeters in diameter are selected for the highest quality spice.
The selected stems are cut at a 45-degree angle near the base to promote healthy regrowth from the stump. Once the shoots are removed, the rough, unflavored outer bark is scraped away to reveal the yellowish-orange inner layer. The exposed wood is rubbed with a tool, traditionally a brass rod, to help loosen the thin, aromatic inner bark.
This valuable inner bark is then carefully peeled off in thin sheets or strips using a small knife. As the thin pieces dry, they naturally curl into the characteristic tubes known as quills. Smaller pieces of the peeled inner bark are frequently tucked inside the larger sheets to create the dense, multi-layered compound quills seen in commerce.