Wild Coffee Plant Care

Wild Coffee (Coffea racemosa) belongs to the Rubiaceae family within the Coffea genus. Wild Coffee is native to Coffea arabica, and a quarter of that in Robusta coffee.

Wild Coffee displays an upright, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Wild Coffee produces fragrant white flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Wild Coffee every 7–10 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 bright indirect to partial shade. Avoid placing Wild Coffee in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Coffea racemosa tolerates temperatures of 60–70°F. Wild Coffee prefers humidity levels of 50–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Well-draining, acidic soil with high organic matter content. 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 bright indirect to partial shade and well-draining, acidic soil with high organic matter content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Wild Coffee is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

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 13). 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. Similar propagation techniques also apply to coffee plant plant care, which shares the same genus.

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Wild Coffee is susceptible to aphids, whiteflies, coffee leaf rust. 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 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Wild Coffee is native to Coffea arabica, and a quarter of that in Robusta coffee. In cooler regions, grow Wild Coffee as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.