Cinnamon Myrtle – Backhousia myrtifolia

Plant family: Myrtaceae

Plant origin: Australia and Papua New Guinea.

Fruit description: The seeds are dry capsules, not edible.

Flowers: The flowers are fragrant, yellow-white, occurring in many clusters over the shrub in Summer and Autumn.

Growing conditions: Cinnamon Myrtle is an evergreen bushy shrub, growing to 4 metres. It has long shiny leaves about 6cm long. They have a wavy edge and are hairy beneath. It can tolerate some frost, like full sun or part shade, and grow well in a pot. It likes a mild subtropical or tropical climate, and moist, rich soil but can grow in a range of soil types. It gives good shade and makes a lovely garden specimen or hedge. It attracts nectar feeding birds. Give it plenty of water and general fertiliser to keep it lush and dense.

Uses: Use the leaves fresh or dried. When crushed, the leaves smell of cinnamon, a sweet spicy aroma. They can be used to make tea or to flavour foods such as desserts, confectionery, preserves or sauces. Bring sprays of leaves inside to scent the house.

Medicinal uses:

Pollination requirements: Self-Pollinating.

Harvest time Harvest the leaves as you require them.

Plant relatives Cinnamon Myrtle is related to other native myrtles, including the Lemon Myrtle (B. citriadora) and Aniseed Myrtle (B. anisata).

Special features:

Grown by method: Cutting Grown Pot size: 125mm

Plant growing Height and Width for pots or in the ground planting: Grows to 2 metres high by 1.5 metres wide if Planted in a Pot. Grows 4 metres high by 3 metres wide if Planted in the Ground.

Shipping plant pot or planter bag size: 125mm