Cinnamomum kotoense Seeds | Koto Cinnamon
LATIN NAME: Cinnamomum kotoense
COMMON NAME: Koto Cinnamon
Plant Profile
Among the ornamental and useful plants raised from seed, Koto Cinnamon (Cinnamomum kotoense) stands out as a tree in the laurel family. The Koto cinnamon scents dense, rounded crown with large, glossy, deep-green leaves and small, cream flowers that open in spring, small, dark fruits following in warm months. Crushed leaves carry warm, spicy scent, and the whole tree gives off the clean, aromatic tone. It likes part shade, and rich, moist, well-drained soil. During flowering it gives bees and other insects a dependable food source. Taken as a whole, it is a plant that repays a little attention many times over.
Science & Biotechnology
Like other members of the laurel family, Cinnamomum kotoense draws steady attention from botanists and plant breeders, who value the genus both as a subject of research and as a source of garden-worthy material. In laurel family, cinnamon trees hold a long, aromatic record in spice research, and the Koto species appears in studies of leaf oils and rare warm-garden trees. In the laboratory and trial ground alike, it serves as workable material for propagation research and line selection.
Uses & Benefits
Koto Cinnamon brings genuine presence to the garden and earns its keep across the growing season. In warm, sheltered garden, the Koto cinnamon scents air with every leaf. Glossy leaves and spicy scent give dense, leafy shade, bark and leaves carry cinnamon-like warmth, and aromatic wood serves small carvings. It grows well in rich, moist, sheltered ground. Once it has settled, the workload drops to almost nothing.
Cinnamon is a spice and a medicine chest: its bark oil and polyphenols are studied for post-meal blood-sugar support, and cassia bark, Rou Gui, is a major warming herb of Chinese medicine. The leaf oil supplies eugenol for dentistry and flavoring.
Growing from Seed
Koto Cinnamon grows readily from seed. Use a loose, well-drained seed compost, sow evenly over the surface and cover lightly, and keep everything evenly moist in partial shade. Move strong seedlings into individual pots, keep them in good light, and set them out when the weather and their size agree.
Our Take
Koto Cinnamon repays a little patience at sowing time with plenty of garden presence later.
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