The benefits of canela: Growing and using cinnamon in your garden

Growing spices in the garden is a fun hobby. They bring freshness, flavor, and a nice scent to everyday meals. It's also a great way to connect with nature by using colorful, locally grown spices in cooking. One of the most interesting spices to grow is cinnamon, also known as canela.

Canela, or cinnamon is the most common spice in many homes. This versatile spice can help with rooting cuttings, stop fungus from harming young plants, and even keep pests away from the house. Cinnamon is also a key ingredient in drinks like mulled cider and in dishes with apples, squash, or sweet potatoes.

Growcycle provides the best canela or cinnamon seeds, helping people grow this spice in the most organic way. The article below will look at the benefits, features, and tips for growing canela or cinnamon effectively.

Botany of  Canela

The botany of canela (cinnamon) refers to the characteristics, structure, and growth of the cinnamon plant. The most commonly used species for spice production are Cinnamomum verum (true cinnamon) and Cinnamomum cassia (cassia).

1. Scientific Classification:

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Order: Laurales
• Family: Lauraceae
• Genus: Cinnamomum
• Species: Cinnamomum verum (True cinnamon) and Cinnamomum cassia (Cassia)

2. Physical Characteristics

• Leaves: The leaves of the cinnamon tree are dark green, glossy, and oval-shaped, with a strong aromatic scent when crushed.
• Flowers: Cinnamon trees produce small, pale yellow or greenish flowers. These flowers grow in clusters and are not typically what people see in spice production, as the spice comes from the inner bark, not the flowers.
• Fruit: The flowers develop into small, berry-like fruits that contain tiny seeds. These fruits are not typically consumed but are essential in the plant’s reproduction process.
• Bark: The part of the plant that is most commonly used for cinnamon spice is the inner bark of the tree. This bark is harvested, dried, and rolled into cinnamon sticks or ground into cinnamon powder.

3. Growth Habitat

• Climate: Cinnamon thrives in tropical climates with warm, consistent temperatures (between 75°F-85°F or 24°C-29°C) and high humidity. It grows well in areas with annual rainfall between 1,500 to 2,500 mm.
• Soil: Cinnamon prefers rich, well-draining, slightly acidic soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5. It does well in soils that are rich in organic material.
• Height: The tree can grow up to 30-50 feet (9-15 meters) tall in its native environment, but when cultivated for spice production, it is usually kept shorter to make harvesting easier.

4. Reproduction:

• Propagation: Cinnamon can be propagated from seeds, but it is more commonly propagated by cuttings to ensure faster growth and maintain desired characteristics. The seeds, if used, take time to germinate and require a warm, moist environment.
• Pollination: Cinnamon trees are typically self-pollinating, with their flowers attracting insects for pollination.

Characteristics of Canela or Cinnamon

Canela, or Cinnamon, is the most widely used spice worldwide. It offers both health and medicinal benefits. The following are the main characteristics of Canela.

• Cinnamon trees can grow between 10 and 50 feet tall, depending on the type and method of cultivation.
• Cinnamon is an evergreen tree with oval leaves, thick bark, and small berries. For spice, the bark and leaves are the best.
• Ceylon cinnamon comes from the thin inner bark. It is lighter brown in color and has a finer, less dense, crumbly texture.
• Gardeners can tell the differences between cinnamon bark and the whole by looking at them with a microscope.
• Cinnamon sticks have various thin layers and can be ground into powder easily with a coffee or spice grinder. In contrast, cassia sticks are much harder.
• The flavor of cinnamon comes from essential oils that make up 0.5 to 1% of the spice.

Types of Canela or Cinnamon

Canela or Cinnamon comes in different kinds. Each type tastes and smells a bit different. Here are the main types of cinnamon:

Benefits of Growing Canela or Cinnamon in Garden

Here is a list of benefits of growing canela or cinnamon in your garden:

Plant Natural Rooting Hormone

Cinnamon can function as a natural rooting hormone, effectively promoting root growth and significantly increasing the likelihood of successful propagation when working with plant cuttings.

To utilize this method, simply take the cutting to propagate and dip the freshly cut end into cinnamon powder before planting it in the chosen medium. This process helps stimulate root development and provides a protective barrier against fungal infections that can harm the cutting.

Natural Fungicide

Cinnamon contains antifungal properties that can prevent mold and mildew from developing in plants. Gardeners can use it as a natural treatment against damping-off disease, a common issue caused by soil-borne fungi that target young seedlings and damage their stems, causing wilting or death.

Insect Repellent

Cinnamon is a natural insect repellent that helps keep ants, flies, and other pests away from plants. To use it, sprinkle cinnamon powder around the base of the plants. Homeowners or gardeners can also apply it directly to the leaves and stems to stop pests from settling on them.

Seed Preservative

Cinnamon helps prevent seeds from rotting or growing mold during storage. To use it, sprinkle cinnamon powder on the seeds before storing them. To help preserve their quality, keep the seeds in a cool, dry place.

Anti-bacterial Properties

Cinnamon can help keep plants healthy by fighting against harmful bacteria. This means it can prevent diseases that affect leaves and plants. Spraying Cinnamon on plants can stop issues like fire blight, which affects fruit trees; crown gall, which causes growths on stems and roots; and bacterial canker, which harms various plants.

Health Benefits

Apart from offering various benefits in the garden, Canela or Cinnamon also has many health benefits, such as:

• Cinnamon is a good source of potassium, magnesium, and calcium. Potassium helps control blood pressure and heart rate by balancing the effects of sodium. 
• Cinnamon also contains anti-inflammatory properties that reduce inflammation in the body. 
• The compound cinnamaldehyde gives cinnamon its unique smell and taste and has strong antibiotic effects. 
• In addition, cinnamon has many antioxidants, like polyphenols. These antioxidants are so effective that cinnamon can sometimes be used to preserve food naturally.

Grow Canela or Cinnamon in the Garden

Growing cinnamon is easy; gardeners can harvest the bark in a few years. Here is how a gardener can grow it in a garden:

1. Choose the Right Location

Choosing where to grow cinnamon trees is important. These trees can grow well indoors or outdoors if they get enough sunlight. If the temperature goes below 68°F (20°C), growing the tree indoors is better. Potted trees can be kept outside but should be brought inside when temperatures drop too much.

2. Ensure Proper Sunlight

Cinnamon trees need about 12 hours of sunlight each day. They grow best in full sun. A south-facing window works well for indoor trees because it gets the most sunlight. In the southern hemisphere, use a north-facing window for better results when growing indoors.

3. Use the Right Soil

Cinnamon trees need well-draining soil, which can be bought at garden centers. Regular garden soil is not recommended because it may contain harmful bacteria. If the soil isn’t labeled "well-draining," make sure it includes a mix of soil, sand, and perlite to help with drainage. For outdoor trees, enough soil should cover a 4 ft (1.2 m) square area. For potted trees, use enough soil to fill a 24-by-20-inch (61-by-51 cm) pot.

4. Check the Soil pH

The soil should have a pH level between 4.5 and 5.5 because cinnamon trees need acidic soil. Use a pH testing kit from a garden store to check this. If the pH is too high, add 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm) of sphagnum peat and mix it into the top 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 cm) of soil. If the pH is too low (below 4.5), add some limestone to balance it.

5. Choose the Right Plant or Seed

Gardeners can either buy a cinnamon tree from a nursery or collect seeds from existing trees. They should wait for the blackberries to ripen and then open them if they collect seeds. The seeds should be dried in the shade for 2 to 3 days, rinsed, and separated. 

Afterward, the seeds need to dry again in the shade. It’s best to take seeds from healthy cinnamon trees with smooth bark that peels easily and has plenty of oil. Seeds should be used within 7 to 10 days.

6. Fill the Area with Soil

Dig a square area measuring 4 feet (1.2 meters) on each side and at least 12 inches (30 cm) deep. Fill the area with acidic, well-draining soil. For an indoor tree, use a ceramic pot measuring 24 by 20 inches (61 by 51 cm) with drainage holes. Before adding soil, cover the holes with window screening to keep the soil from slipping out.

7. Plant the Tree

To plant the cinnamon tree, dig a hole 12 inches (30 cm) deep and 12 inches wide using a gardening trowel. If planting seeds, dig a hole 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) deep using fingers or a stick. Several seeds can be planted in one pot and thinned out later. Holes should be spaced 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm) apart. Outdoors, plant one tree every 14 feet (4.3 meters).

8. Set the Tree

Place the tree in the hole and press the soil firmly around it. First, remove the tree from its original pot and gently separate the roots. Then, place the tree in the hole and fill any empty spaces with soil. Lightly press down the soil with hands. Place one seed in each hole and cover it with soil if planting seeds.

Tips to Care Canela or Cinnamon in the Garden

Caring for a cinnamon (canela) tree in the garden ensures it grows strong and produces high-quality bark. These trees thrive in warm, humid conditions and need proper watering, sunlight, and soil maintenance. Here are some essential tips to keep your cinnamon tree healthy:

• Light: Cinnamon plants grow best with lots of sunlight. They need at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight most days. In very hot and dry weather, a bit of afternoon shade can help them stay healthy.
• Soil: Cinnamon plants prefer soil that is rich and drains well. Sandy loam works great for them. They don’t grow well in heavy or soggy soil, like clay. If the garden soil isn’t suitable, using containers with well-drained, sandy soil is a good alternative.
• Water: Cinnamon plants love regular rainfall, like in tropical climates. During dry periods, extra watering is important. The soil should not dry out completely. Water the plants when the top two inches of soil feel dry, and use mulch to keep the roots cool and the soil moist.
• Temperature and Humidity: These plants thrive in warm and humid environments, especially at temperatures around 80°F. They struggle in cold weather below 40°F or in dry conditions. For cold winters, cinnamon plants can grow indoors as houseplants or stay in a greenhouse.
• Fertilizer: A balanced, slow-release fertilizer can be added to the planting hole to help the plant grow well from the start. After that, fertilizer should be applied every spring according to the instructions on the label.

Common Problems to Avoid

Cinnamon plants are generally easy to grow, but a few problems can occur. Some common issues include:

• Yellow Leaves: Yellow leaves usually mean the plant is getting too much water. Overwatering can also make the plant look weak or shriveled. To fix this, water the plant carefully and avoid overdoing it.

• Brown Specks: Brown spots on the leaves may be caused by a fungal disease called leaf spot. This fungus creates uneven patches and can damage the leaves. To help the plant recover, remove the affected parts quickly and treat it with a fungicide.

• Fungal Diseases: Too much moisture or not enough sunlight can stress the plant and lead to fungal infections.
• Pests: Certain pests, like the cinnamon butterfly and gall mite, are common in tropical areas. Others, like leafminers and mealybugs, can damage leaves or harm the plant’s growth. For severe pest problems, gardeners can use organic insecticides to protect the plant.

FAQs

How does cinnamon help in the garden?

Cinnamon is helpful in the garden because it fights fungus and keeps pests away. It can stop problems like root rot and damping off in seedlings. Sprinkling cinnamon around plants keeps ants and other pests away. Its properties also help to keep the soil healthy, which supports strong plant growth.

How to use cinnamon for pest control?

To keep pests away, sprinkle some powdered cinnamon around the base of the plants or along the edges of the garden. It helps drive away ants, aphids, and mosquitoes. Add cinnamon to the top of the soil for potted plants to stop those pesky fungus gnats. 

Why does cinnamon help root growth?

Cinnamon is a natural antifungal agent that supports root growth. It effectively prevents harmful fungi that cause root rot and damping-off in seedlings. Its antimicrobial properties protect cuttings and young plants from infections and promote a healthier environment.

The Bottom Line

Growing canela or cinnamon in the garden has many benefits. It adds flavor to cooking, acts as a natural fungicide, helps plants grow strong roots, and keeps pests away. Caring for this spice also creates a closer connection to nature, making the garden more enjoyable with its pleasant smell and health benefits.

For those looking to buy high-quality canela or cinnamon seeds, Growcycle is a great choice. They provide excellent seeds and helpful tips for growing them successfully. Gardeners and homeowners should check out this marketplace to make their gardens thrive.

Disclaimer: This material is for informational purposes only and should not be relied on for legal, medical, financial, or any other form of professional advice.

Sources:

1. NCCIH - Cinnamon

2. Wikipedia - Cinnamon

About the Author

Victor Miller

Environmental Journalist Focused on Sustainable Agriculture

Victor Miller is an environmental journalist at Growcycle, where he covers the latest news, trends, and innovations in sustainable agriculture. He has a deep passion for storytelling that emphasizes ecological balance and responsible farming practices.

Before joining Growcycle, Victor worked for several agricultural and environmental publications, reporting on significant environmental issues and interviewing key figures in the sustainability sector. His work has been featured in various industry journals and online platforms.