False Cinnamon Plant Care

False Cinnamon (Anisophyllea cinnamomoides) belongs to the Anisophylleaceae family within the Anisophyllea genus. False Cinnamon is native to Sri Lanka. False Cinnamon is also known as Anisophyllea disticha, Malayan cinnamon.

False Cinnamon displays a tall, upright tree growth habit, reaching up to 30 ft tall with a spread of approximately 15 ft. False Cinnamon produces small, inconspicuous greenish-yellow flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted False Cinnamon every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

False Cinnamon thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Anisophyllea cinnamomoides tolerates temperatures of 65–85°F. False Cinnamon prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Rich, well-draining soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for False Cinnamon to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed False Cinnamon every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and rich, well-draining soil with high organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

False Cinnamon is suited to USDA Zone 11a – 12b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

False Cinnamon can spread to about 15 ft (4.6 m) and reach about 30 ft (9 m) tall. Space plants about 15 ft (4.6 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune False Cinnamon while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

False Cinnamon is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 11). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

False Cinnamon can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to anisophyllea rhizophoroides plant care, which shares the same genus.

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False Cinnamon is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, caterpillars. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

False Cinnamon grows outdoors in USDA Zone 11a – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 11a. False Cinnamon is native to Sri Lanka. In cooler regions, grow False Cinnamon as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.