Wild Cinnamon Plant Care

Wild Cinnamon (Canella winterana) belongs to the Canellaceae family within the Canella genus. Wild Cinnamon is native to the Caribbean, south-eastern Mexico, southern Florida, and Venezuela. Wild Cinnamon is also known as Bahama Canella, West Indian Wild Cinnamon, Cinnamon Bark Tree.

Wild Cinnamon displays a small to medium-sized tree growth habit, reaching up to 20 ft tall with a spread of approximately 15 ft. Wild Cinnamon produces small, fragrant white flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Wild Cinnamon every 7–10 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.

Wild Cinnamon thrives in partial shade to full sun.

Canella winterana tolerates temperatures of 65–85°F. Wild Cinnamon prefers humidity levels of 50–80%. 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 Wild Cinnamon to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

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

Wild Cinnamon is suited to USDA Zone 10b – 11b.

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.

Wild Cinnamon can spread to about 15 ft (4.6 m) and reach about 20 ft (6 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 Wild 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.

Wild Cinnamon is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 10). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Wild Cinnamon can be propagated through seeds, cuttings.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Wild Cinnamon is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, spider mites. 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.

Wild Cinnamon grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10b – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10b. Wild Cinnamon is native to the Caribbean, south-eastern Mexico, southern Florida, and Venezuela. In cooler regions, grow Wild Cinnamon as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.