Alphabetical Plant Listing

Psychotria nervosa (Wild Coffee)

Seminole Balsamo, Wild Coffee, Psychotria lanceolata, Psychotria nervosa var. lanceolata, Psychotria portoricensis, Psychotria undata


Psychotria nervosa (Wild Coffee) is an upright, medium-sized evergreen shrub with attractive, shiny dark green leaves and showy scarlet berries. The foliage of oppositely arranged, obovate leaves, 6 in. long (15 cm), is puckered with conspicuous veins on the upper surfaces, creating a wavy, textured look. Blooming in spring and summer, a profusion of small, tubular, white to greenish-white flowers are born in sessile clusters that may be axillary or terminal. They attract many species of butterflies and are followed by small, red, oval berries that are edible but are rather bland. They resemble coffee beans, hence the common name, and are highly appealing to birds and small wildlife. Low maintenance, relatively salt tolerant, and somewhat drought tolerant, Wild Coffee is well-suited for use as a specimen or accent plant, foundation plant, or as a loose hedge. Native to Florida as well as the West Indies and Central and South America, Wild Coffee is one of the most widely cultivated of Florida’s native plants.

  • Grows up to 2-10 ft. tall (60-300 cm) and 3-5 ft. wide (90-150 cm). Readily self-seeds
  • Easily grown in part shade to full shade in moderately dry to moist, well-drained soils. Some tolerance to drought, and salty wind but not direct salt spray. This versatile plant will grow in full sun, but the plant will be more compact and its leaves will show yellowing.
  • Virtually disease and pest free
  • Takes to clipping nicely.
  • Propagated by seed or cuttings. Seeds should be planted after the last frost in cold areas.
  • Native to Florida as well as the West Indies and Central and South America.

Buy Psychotria nervosa (Wild Coffee)

Requirements

Hardiness 9 – 11
Plant Type Shrubs
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 2' – 10' (60cm – 3m)
Spread 3' – 5' (90cm – 150cm)
Spacing 36" – 60" (90cm – 150cm)
Water Needs Low, Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen, Fruit & Berries
Native Plants United States, Southeast, Florida
Tolerance Drought, Salt
Attracts Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Hedges and Screens
Garden Styles Mediterranean Garden

Buy Plants


Holly Guerrio, Shutterstock

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 9 – 11
Plant Type Shrubs
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 2' – 10' (60cm – 3m)
Spread 3' – 5' (90cm – 150cm)
Spacing 36" – 60" (90cm – 150cm)
Water Needs Low, Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen, Fruit & Berries
Native Plants United States, Southeast, Florida
Tolerance Drought, Salt
Attracts Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Hedges and Screens
Garden Styles Mediterranean Garden

Plant Calculator

How many Psychotria nervosa (Wild Coffee) do I need for my garden?

%
ft
ft

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Psychotria nervosa (Wild Coffee)

Find your Hardiness Zone

Find your Climate Zone

Find your Heat Zone

Join Gardenia.net

Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

Join now and start creating your dream garden!

Create a New Collection

Optional. For your reference.


Move Selected Plants to a Different Collection


Delete Collection

This field is required.

Rename Collection

This field is required.