Cinnamon (Drimys winteri)

Drimys winteri flower

The cinnamon is a tree with great ornamental value It can be grown in temperate regions without any problem. Although it is not one of those that provides good shade, the bark of its trunk, its leaves and flowers are so beautiful that it is worth making room for it in the garden.

Do you want to know him better? 🙂

Origin and characteristics of cinnamon

Cinnamon tree

Our protagonist is a evergreen tree originally from Chile and Argentina known as canelo or drimis. Its scientific name is Drimys winteri. It is characterized by have an almost pyramidal bearing, with a straight trunk that reaches 15-20 meters. The leaves are simple, leathery, green on the upper side and whitish on the underside, they measure 10x3cm, and have a slightly recurved smooth margin. The flower is white with a yellow center and the fruit is a bluish berry.

It is a plant with a medium-fast growth rate, so you can have a very interesting specimen in your garden in just a few years. In addition, you should know that its bark has medicinal properties: having a high content of vitamin C, it is used to combat scurvy.

Sacred tree of the Mapuches

As a curiosity, it is interesting to know that in the Mapuche culture the canelo is considered a sacred tree. In fact, there is usually one planted on the altars -called hostages- used by them during ceremonies.

On the other hand, the Chilean Huilliche tribe associates this plant with witchcraft.

What are their cares?

Cinnamon bark

If you want to have a copy, we recommend that you provide it with the following care:

Location

It is a tree that must be outside, in full sun or, better, in semi-shade, at least while I'm young. Likewise, it is important that, if it is on the ground, it is planted at a distance of 5-6 meters from pipes, walls, walls, etc. to avoid problems.

Earth

  • Garden: it must be rich in organic matter, light and deep, with good drainage.
  • Flower pot: fill it with universal growing medium (for sale here) mixed with 30% of perlite. Anyway, you have to know that it cannot be cultivated throughout its life in a pot due to the size it reaches. But I will also tell you that if you get one of the big ones, those that measure about 1 meter in diameter by about the same height, and you prune it regularly, it is possible to have it very healthy.

Irrigation

The frequency of irrigation will change throughout the year. Thus, while in summer it will be necessary to water frequently if the weather is rather dry and warm, in winter it will not be necessary to worry so much about this issue. Taking this into account, It will be watered an average of 2-3 times a week in summer, and somewhat less the rest of the year.

Whenever you can, use rainwater, as it is the best that the plants can receive.

Planting or transplanting time

En spring, when the frosts have passed. If it is potted, transplant every two years, or sooner if you see roots coming out of the drainage holes.

Multiplication

The fruits of the cinnamon are black

Image - Wikimedia / Inao Vásquez

The cinnamon multiplies by seeds in spring. Direct sowing in seedbed, outside protected from direct sun. You can follow this step by step:

  1. First, fill a seedbed (flowerpot, milk or yogurt containers, or whatever you have more within reach as long as it is waterproof and you can make some holes for drainage) with seedbed substrate (for sale here) or universal (for sale here).
  2. Then sow the seeds on the surface so that they are separated from each other.
  3. Then cover them with a thin layer of substrate.
  4. Then sprinkle with copper or sulfur or spray them with fungicide spray (commercially available here). This way the fungi will not be able to damage them.
  5. Finally, water.

Keeping the substrate moist but not flooded, they will germinate for about fifteen days.

Pruning

Late winter remove dry, diseased or weak branches, and trim those that are overgrown using pruning tools previously disinfected with pharmacy alcohol or a few drops of dishwasher.

Rusticity

Withstands cold and frost up to -6ºC, but excessive heat (30ºC or more) hurts you.

What uses is it given?

The leaves of the cinnamon tree are perennial

Image - Wikimedia / Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz

Ornamental

The cinnamon tree is a very decorative and easy-to-care plant that will surely give you great satisfaction. Its flowers, although it is true that they are not large, they are beautiful. What's more, the plant has an elegant bearing, ideal to make the garden look even more beautiful.

Medicinal uses of cinnamon

Without a doubt, it is the most common use of it. Especially the bark is rich in tannins and vitamin C, which is used to treat scurvy and as an antibacterial.

As an external use it is effective to clean and treat wounds, whether they are infected or not.

What did you think of the cinnamon tree? Have you heard of him?


28 comments, leave yours

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  1.   hector vicencio caceres said

    Hello, my question is the following. I have two cinnamon sticks in my house and one is drying up, has shed many leaves and has dry branches. I have checked if it has any pests and they are not seen on its leaves or branches.
    I do not think it is due to lack of water because it is close to a fountain.
    I have never cut off any branches. If you give me your email, I can send you pictures.
    Greetings and thanks for your help.

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hello Hector.
      From what you say, it could well be that he is suffering from excess water.

      What size it has? Has it been planted on the site for a long time? If it is small and / or has been recently (months), I would recommend moving it to another location; But if it is large and / or has been planted for more than a year, then it would be advisable to dig trenches at least 50cm deep, and put resistant plastic (PVC type) so that the soil root ball would be wrapped by this material and its roots would not have such direct contact with the water.

      A greeting.

  2.   Luis said

    Why in the South of Chile its leaves are turning yellow

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hi Luis.
      It may be that it has a plague, that it has been watered excessively or, on the contrary, little.

      I recommend you take a look at its leaves, and see if it has any insects. In the event that it does not have anything, check the humidity of the soil, and if it is very dry, give it a good watering; On the contrary, if it is very humid, treat it with fungicide since the fungi could damage it.

      Greetings.

  3.   Teresa said

    Hello, three days or so ago my cinnamon is somewhat sad, I do not know it is because we have watered it every day or because of the excess heat in the area or the smoke from the fires, it is located in full sun. What could be happening, will it be necessary to provide some shade?
    best regards.

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hello Teresa.
      From what you count, it seems that he has suffered a bit from everything 🙂: excess water, heat and smoke from the fires.

      My advice is to suspend watering until you see that the soil is very dry; and if there are still active fires, protect it if you can at home by putting it in a bright room (natural light). In case there are no more, put it in semi-shadow.

      Good luck.

      1.    Teresa said

        Hello Monica, thank you very much for your recommendations, there are no fires, and we have not watered it but it rained, we provided a semi-shadow because it is directly on the ground, I have faith that it will survive.
        Although its branches are decayed during the day and in the morning they wake up tender.
        Thank you very much.

        1.    Monica Sanchez said

          Hello Teresa.
          So now we only have to wait. Good luck 🙂

  4.   Paula said

    Hello, my cinnamon tree is losing its leaves, they turn gray and it has a bit of shells, I thought it could be little water, but we have improved the irrigation, I don't know what it can be.

  5.   Rodrigo said

    The truth had been heard about the Mapuches and the canelo. Now I know better this magnificent evergreen tree. They gave me one this boy, I hope it grows well here in the Andes that is hotter than the …….

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      He he. As long as it does not lack water, it is very possible that it will go well 🙂

  6.   alfaro sonia said

    I loved reading I knew that canelo is a sacred tree, I want to raise one thank you I loved it, information blessings

  7.   Rule Decide said

    Hello, I have a 5-year-old cinnamon tree, it is in a large pot, I water 3 times a week, I applied Californian worm water once a month, and 2 weeks ago, brown spots began to appear on the leaves until the leaf dried, even on new leaves, apply insecticide but nothing, what else could I do?

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hi Norma.

      You may be getting too much water. Check the humidity of the soil, since if it is very high, that is, if it is soaked, you will have to space the waterings.

      Do you have a plate under it? If so, I recommend you remove it, or at least ensure that it is always empty. Stagnant water can rot the roots.

      It would also be advisable to treat it with an antifungal product, a multipurpose fungicide.

      Regards!

  8.   Daniel R. Layana said

    Hello. I would like to know if you sell Canelos and how much they cost, since we are interested in planting some Canelos in our plaza, in the commune of La Florida, Santiago.

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hi Danilo.

      No, we are not dedicated to buying and selling.

      Greetings.

  9.   Maria Angelica said

    Hello, I am worried because my cinnamon tree is losing its leaves and I do not know the cause if you can help me please

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hello Maria Angelica.

      In order to help you, I need you to tell me if you have it in the sun or shade, and how often you water it. In the article The care is explained, but if you have any questions write to us.

      regards

  10.   Nani said

    I have known the canelo since my stay in Chile. Ganon had it planted on his hill when it was completely deforested and a few years later water gushed from a spring at its feet. He affirmed that this tree was sacred because it pumped water from the depths and when the Mapuches saw it they knew how to find pure water there.

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hey.
      Interesting fact.
      Thank you very much for sharing.

  11.   George said

    Hi there. How could I root a woody cinnamon stick?

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hello Jorge.

      You can cut a branch of about 40cm, impregnate the base with rooting hormones or with homemade rooting agents, and then plant it in a pot with soil.

      Go watering every time you see the dry land; that way you won't get dehydrated.

      Greetings and good luck.

  12.   Marian Ponce Alegre placeholder image said

    I love this tree. Your presence and personality make a garden with class?

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hi Marian.

      It is very elegant, without a doubt. Very interesting to plant in the gardens of mild climates.

      Greetings.

  13.   daisy towers said

    Hello, I have a cinnamon tree that in two years has not grown but it was keeping well. Now they are dropping
    the leaves and it seems it is drying and I have watered it a lot, it is planted in semi shade, that I can
    do to relive it, already grateful for advice

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hi Margie or Hello Margarite.

      What do you mean by »water a lot»? I ask you because it is important that the soil has time to dry out a bit before watering again, otherwise the roots would rot.

      From what you count, it seems that this has happened to him, that he has received a lot of water. So my advice is to spread the risks. It would also be highly recommended to sprinkle powdered copper on the ground, around the trunk, as this reduces the risk of fungi infecting it.

      Greetings.

  14.   Giovanna terzi said

    Hello
    I have had a cinnamon for a little over a month. I bought it from a nursery and it was very beautiful in a pot.
    I changed the pot (it has a long rapita with leaves and two small shoots below) and placed it in the living room where it gets some afternoon sun along with two other plants that are also in pot in the same sector (they are dracaenas). I water it 2-3 times a week in summer, I even bury a stick to see that the soil is dry at the bottom.
    But two weeks ago things began to dry out and more and more leaves are drying up.
    What could be happening to him? I don't want him to die, but I can't figure out what's wrong with him.
    If you can help me please with this 🙂

    regards

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hi Giovanna.

      Does the sun shine directly on you, or through a window? See if only the leaves are falling on one side, as it could be that it is burning.

      One more question: do you have a plate under the pot, or is it inside a pot without holes? If so, after watering you have to empty it so that the roots do not rot.

      Regards!