Lemon drop plant Plant Care

Lemon drop plant (Psychotria dubia) belongs to the Rubiaceae family within the Psychotria genus. Lemon drop plant is native to Sri Lanka. Lemon drop plant is also known as Lemon bush, Wild coffee.

Lemon drop plant displays an upright, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Lemon drop plant produces small clusters of white or pink flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Lemon drop plant every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Lemon drop plant thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Lemon drop plant in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Psychotria dubia tolerates temperatures of 65–80°F. Lemon drop plant prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Rich, well-draining soil with high organic matter content. Good drainage is essential for Lemon drop plant to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Lemon drop plant every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs 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 light and rich, well-draining soil with high organic matter content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Lemon drop plant is suited to USDA Zone 13b.

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

Lemon drop plant can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 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 plant spacing calculator.

Prune Lemon drop plant 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 shrub in one year.

Lemon drop plant 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.

Lemon drop plant can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to psychotria abdita plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Lemon drop plant is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, mealybugs. 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.

Lemon drop plant grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Lemon drop plant is native to Sri Lanka. In cooler regions, grow Lemon drop plant as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.