Kentucky Coffeetree Plant Care

Kentucky Coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Gymnocladus genus. Kentucky Coffeetree is native to the Midwest, Upper South, Appalachia, and small pockets of New York in the United States and Ontario in Canada. Kentucky Coffeetree is also known as Coffee Tree, Chicot.

Kentucky Coffeetree displays a tall, upright tree growth habit, reaching up to 60 ft tall with a spread of approximately 30 ft. Kentucky Coffeetree produces small greenish-white flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Kentucky Coffeetree 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.

Kentucky Coffeetree thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Gymnocladus dioicus tolerates temperatures of 0–100°F. Kentucky Coffeetree prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Kentucky Coffeetree to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Kentucky Coffeetree every 8 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 full sun to partial shade and well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

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.

Kentucky Coffeetree can spread to about 30 ft (9.1 m) and reach about 60 ft (18 m) tall. Space plants about 30 ft (9.1 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 Kentucky Coffeetree 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.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown trees need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Kentucky Coffeetree can be propagated through seeds, root cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to burmese coffee bean plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Kentucky Coffeetree is susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, scale insects. 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.