Cassia Cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia)

Aromatic Spice Tree with Bold, Sweet Cinnamon Bark

Cassia Cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia), also known as Chinese cinnamon, is a fragrant, tropical tree prized for its spicy-sweet bark, which is harvested, dried, and ground into the bold-flavored cinnamon used in baking, tea, curries, and herbal medicine. Grown for centuries throughout Asia, cassia has a more intense, warming flavor than true (Ceylon) cinnamon, and it’s the most widely used cinnamon variety in the U.S.

This beautiful evergreen tree features glossy leaves, cinnamon-scented bark, and subtle white blooms that attract pollinators. It thrives in humid, warm zones and can be grown in the ground or as a container tree in cooler climates. With the right care and time, cassia cinnamon becomes a stunning centerpiece for herbal gardens, tropical landscapes, and food forests—offering beauty, shade, and spice.

Why You'll Love It:

• Harvest your own bold, sweet cinnamon bark
• Beautiful, glossy-leaved tree for tropical and subtropical gardens
• Used in herbal medicine, teas, and culinary spice blends
• Aromatic, evergreen, and pollinator-friendly
• Great for edible landscaping or potted patio trees

Growing Tips:

• Plant in full sun to part shade in warm, frost-free zones
• Use well-drained, rich soil and mulch to retain moisture
• Protect from cold when young—grow in containers in cooler zones
• Harvest bark from mature branches once tree is well established (after 3–5 years)
• Prune gently to shape and encourage healthy branching