Cinnamon (mdalasini)

Cinnamomum verum

Family: Lauraceae

Quick stats

Family	Lauraceae
Typical harvest	1.2 t/ha
Varieties	3
Pests & diseases	5
Seasons	3

Crop profile

Growth habit	tree
Days to harvest	3650
Main uses	Bark (quills and chips) for spice; leaves/twigs for oil.
Pollination	insect
Origin / where it grows	Performs in warm, humid coastal and mid-altitude tropics; best with regular rainfall and mild dry season.

Weather, soil & spacing

Best temperature	22–30 °C
Rainfall	1500–2500 mm/yr
Altitude	0–1200 m
Best pH	5.5–6.5
Soil type	Deep, well-drained loam/sandy loam high in organic matter; responds to mulching.
Row spacing	200 cm
Plant spacing	200 cm
Seed rate	kg/ha (check local recommendation)
Nursery days	240

Simple notes for farmers

About the crop: This crop has a growth habit described as "tree". You can normally start harvesting about 3650 days after planting, depending on care and variety.

Main use: Farmers mostly grow this crop for bark (quills and chips) for spice; leaves/twigs for oil..

Pollination: This crop is mainly pollinated by insect. Keeping flowers healthy and having insects like bees in the field helps improve fruit set and yields.

Where it grows: Performs in warm, humid coastal and mid-altitude tropics; best with regular rainfall and mild dry season. It is grouped under: Fruits & Nuts, Spices & Condiments.

Best climate: This crop does well in warm areas where the temperature is usually between 22 and 30 degrees Celsius. It prefers places that receive around 1500 to 2500 millimetres of rain in a year. It can grow from near sea level up to about 1200 metres above sea level.

Soil: The crop grows best in slightly acidic to near neutral soils, with a pH of about 5.5 to 6.5. It does well in deep, well-drained loam/sandy loam high in organic matter; responds to mulching.. Good drainage is important, so avoid waterlogged spots.

Plant spacing: Plant in rows about 200 centimetres apart, and leave about 200 centimetres between plants in the row. This gives each plant enough space for roots and canopy to spread.

Seed or planting material: Use good quality seed or healthy planting material. Follow local extension advice for the exact amount per hectare.

Nursery period: If you raise seedlings in a nursery, keep them there for about 240 days before transplanting to the main field, when they are strong and healthy.

Farmer guide (mwongozo wa mkulima)

Planting: Transplant sturdy seedlings at onset of rains into well-prepared pits mixed with compost. Mulch heavily and control weeds.

Transplanting: Stake if windy; maintain moist basins the first dry season.

Irrigation: Keep soil evenly moist during establishment and during bark flush periods.

Fertigation: Split small N and K feeds during rainy months; add compost annually to maintain bark quality.

Pest scouting: Scout for leaf spots, bark borers and scales/mealybugs; maintain clean, mulched basins to reduce stress.

Pruning: After establishment, coppice at ~2–3 years to 8–12 shoots/clump. Maintain straight, smooth shoots for quills.

Harvest: Harvest shoots when 2–3 cm thick; peel inner bark when the sap is flowing (after rains). Form quills and dry gently in shade/air.

Postharvest: Grade quills by thickness/colour; finish drying to brittle state and store airtight in dry conditions.

Nutrient schedule (mbolea kwa hatua)

#	Stage	DAP	Product	Rate	Targets (kg/ha)	Notes
1	Basal at planting	0	NPK 15-15-15 + compost	120 kg/ha (plus 5–8 t/ha compost)	N: 18, P₂O₅: 18, K₂O: 18	Mix with backfill; avoid direct root contact.
2	Early rainy season topdress	90	CAN 26% N	100 kg/ha	N: 26, P₂O₅: 0, K₂O: 0	Ring-apply in basins; mulch afterwards.
3	Mid-season K support	180	Sulfate of potash (SOP)	100 kg/ha	N: 0, P₂O₅: 0, K₂O: 50	Improves bark quality and oil.

Nutrient requirements

Nutrient	Stage	Amount	Unit
N	Establishment	30	kg/ha
P₂O₅	Establishment	20	kg/ha
K₂O	Establishment	30	kg/ha
N	Coppice_growth	40	kg/ha
P₂O₅	Coppice_growth	20	kg/ha
K₂O	Coppice_growth	40	kg/ha

Name	Country	Maturity	Traits
Ceylon cinnamon selection (local)	KE	1095	Good aroma; smooth shoots for quills.
Ceylon-type selection (TZ coast)	TZ	1095	Adapted to coastal humidity; good bark peeling.
Highland pocket selection	UG	1095	Performs in humid mid-altitude pockets.

Stage	Product	Rate (kg/ha)	Notes
Basal	NPK 15-15-15 + compost	120	With 5–8 t/ha compost at planting/early rains.
Topdress (rains)	CAN 26% N	100	Split if long rainy season.
Mid-season	SOP (K₂SO₄)	100	Supports bark quality and oil.

Name	Type	Symptoms	Management
Bark/shot-hole borers	pest	Pinholes, frass; degraded bark quality.	Prune and destroy infested shoots; maintain vigor and timely harvest.
Scales & mealybugs	pest	Sticky honeydew, sooty mould; reduced growth.	Control ants, encourage predators, use horticultural oils if needed.
Leaf spot/anthracnose	disease	Brown/black leaf lesions; defoliation in wet spells.	Improve airflow, avoid overhead irrigation late, use protectants if severe.
Root/ collar rots (waterlogging)	disease	Wilting, dieback on poorly drained sites.	Ensure drainage, raised basins/ridges, avoid soil compaction.
Termites (young plants)	pest	Girdling at base; lodging.	Keep basins clean; physical barriers and spot treatments as per guidance.

System	Typical	Min	Max	Notes
Smallholder coppice blocks (rainfed)	0.8	0.4	1.2	After first coppice cycle; depends on density and shoot management.
Managed plantations (good nutrition & mulching)	1.5	0.8	2.2	High shoot quality, timely peeling and careful drying.

Country	Region	Planting	Harvest
TZ	Coastal humid belt & islands	Onset of main rains; irrigated pockets can stagger.	Coppice harvests 2–3 yrs after planting, then every 1–2 yrs.
KE	Coast (humid pockets) & very warm mid-altitudes	At onset of long rains; ensure mulch and drainage.	Peeling after rainy spells when sap flows; staggered by blocks.
UG	Humid lakeshore/mid-altitude pockets	Onset of reliable rains; avoid frost-prone sites.	Cycles aligned with rainy seasons for easier peeling.

Country	Region	Suitability
KE	Coastal humid pockets	High
KE	Cool highlands	Low
TZ	Coastal belt & isles	High
UG	Humid lakeshore/mid-altitude pockets	Medium