🌿 Growing Cinnamon Basil Indoors: A Basil That Smells Just Like Cinnamon
This post documents how I grew Cinnamon Basil indoors under LED grow lights, from seed germination and true leaves to transplanting, strong cinnamon-like aroma, flower spikes, and pale purple basil flowers.
Cinnamon basil is one of the most fragrant basil varieties, known for its warm, spicy aroma that smells exactly like real cinnamon.
Although I haven’t tasted it yet, the scent alone makes it one of the most interesting specialty basils to grow.
Among the four major aromatic basils — Lemon Basil, Cinnamon Basil, Thai Basil, Holy Basil — the two I recommend for beginners are Lemon Basil and Cinnamon Basil.
Here’s how my Cinnamon Basil grew from cotyledons to flowering under LED grow lights.
Quick Summary:
- I grew Cinnamon Basil indoors from seed under LED grow lights.
- The seedlings first produced small green cotyledons and then elongated true leaves.
- A faint cinnamon scent was already noticeable when the young leaves were touched.
- Once the plant reached the four-leaf stage, it grew faster and was transplanted into a pot.
- Under LED lighting, Cinnamon Basil stayed compact, upright, and fragrant.
- The plant eventually produced vertical flower spikes with pale purple flowers.
- Cinnamon Basil is one of the most interesting aromatic basil varieties for indoor herb growers.
1. Cotyledon Stage: First Baby Leaves
The Cinnamon Basil seeds sprouted with small green cotyledons.
- Warm germination conditions
- High humidity
- Gentle LED lighting
Even at this early stage, the seedlings were compact and healthy.
2. True Leaves Begin to Emerge
As the seedlings developed, the first pair of true leaves appeared.
- Slightly elongated shape
- Bright green color
- A faint cinnamon scent already noticeable when touched
The aroma is surprisingly strong even for tiny leaves.
3. Four-Leaf Stage: Stronger Growth
Once the plant reached four true leaves, it began growing much faster.
- Leaves became longer and more pointed
- Stem started to thicken
- Aroma increased significantly
This is a good time to transplant the seedlings into individual pots.
4. Transplanting to a Pot & Early Growth
I transplanted the basil using a soil mix of:
- 3 parts potting soil
- 1 part masato
This ratio gives excellent drainage while retaining enough moisture.
Under LED grow lights, Cinnamon Basil grows perfectly fine indoors.
5. More Growth Under LED Light
With consistent watering (only when the top soil dries), the Cinnamon Basil grew full and upright.
- Strong aroma
- Compact plant shape
- Bright and healthy leaves
Cinnamon Basil handles artificial light extremely well.
6. Flower Spike Begins to Form
Eventually, the plant produced a flower spike.
- Light purple flower buds
- Vertical growth
- Slightly sweet cinnamon scent around the plant
Even before full bloom, the buds had a beautiful pale purple tone.
7. Close-Up of the Cinnamon Basil Flower
The flowers are delicate, soft lavender, and very photogenic.
While most growers pinch off basil flowers, Cinnamon Basil blooms are attractive and worth observing at least once.
Conclusion
Cinnamon Basil is a rewarding herb for indoor gardeners who want something fragrant and unique.
It grows easily under LED lights, smells amazing, and quickly becomes one of the most interesting basils in any collection.
If you're exploring aromatic basils, Cinnamon Basil is definitely worth trying—especially alongside Lemon Basil.
Looking to grow Cinnamon Basil yourself?
Here’s the Cinnamon Basil seed I recommend on Amazon:
👉 Cinnamon Basil Seeds – https://amzn.to/4i0HdB6
Affiliate Disclosure: This link is an Amazon affiliate link.
If you purchase through it, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
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Thanks for reading! All the plants you see in my posts are lovingly raised right here at Greenfingers. We specialize in healthy, vibrant tropical plants and want to share the joy of gardening with the world.
If you’re a plant lover traveling through South Korea, feel free to stop by and say hello!
- Farm Name: Greenfingers (그린핑거스)
- Location: 42-6, Munbak-gil, Nangseong-myeon, Sangdang-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do, Republic of Korea (Postal Code: 28182)
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"Growing happiness, one leaf at a time."
