Wild Coffee Plant Care

Wild Coffee (Allophylus abyssinicus) belongs to the Sapindaceae family within the Allophylus genus. Wild Coffee is native to Ethiopia, Kenya. Wild Coffee is also known as False Coffee.

Wild Coffee displays an upright, spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Wild Coffee produces small clusters of white or pink flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Wild Coffee every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Wild Coffee thrives in partial shade to full sun.

Allophylus abyssinicus tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Wild Coffee prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Wild Coffee to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Wild Coffee every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with partial shade to full sun and well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Wild Coffee is suited to USDA Zone 10a – 11b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Wild Coffee can spread to about 4 ft (1.2 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 4 ft (1.2 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Wild Coffee while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Wild Coffee is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 10). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Wild Coffee can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to allophylus aldabricus plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Wild Coffee is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Wild Coffee grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10a. Wild Coffee is native to Ethiopia, Kenya. In cooler regions, grow Wild Coffee as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.