Psychotria nervosa (Wild Coffee)

Description

🌿 Wild Coffee (Psychotria nervosa)

A reliable native for Florida shade gardens.

Wild Coffee is one of the best-performing native shrubs for shaded Florida landscapes. Its lush, glossy leaves and tidy form make it a staple in pollinator gardens, foundation plantings, and under live oaks. In spring and summer, small white flowers attract pollinators — followed by clusters of red berries that birds love.

📍 Highlights

• Light Needs: Shade-loving (what does that mean?)
• Mature Size: 4–6 ft tall × 3–5 ft wide
• Growth Rate: Moderate
• Wildlife: Attracts birds, bees, and butterflies
• Hardiness: USDA Zones 9–11

🔆 Light Conditions

Wild Coffee thrives in partial to full shade. It can tolerate brief morning sun but may drop leaves or scorch in exposed areas. The glossy foliage looks its best under filtered or dappled light — typical beneath oak canopies or palm clusters.

Note: Florida’s high UV index and seasonal canopy shifts mean that even shady areas receive more light in winter. Some brief leaf drop is normal during these periods and helps the plant photosynthesize while light levels are elevated.

📏 Mature Size

Expect this plant to reach:

• Height: 4–6 feet
• Width: 3–5 feet

Its naturally rounded shape responds well to light pruning if used in hedge lines or borders.

🪴 Size at Sale

📐 Spacing Guidelines

• Mass plantings: 4–5 ft apart
• Hedging: 3 ft on center
• Accent use: as needed for air flow

💧 Water & Soil

• Prefers organic, well-drained soils
• Tolerates sand and loam
• Water regularly for first 60–90 days
• More sun = more water needs

🌸 Companion Plants

Wild Coffee plays well with other shade lovers like:

• Coontie (Zamia integrifolia)
• Firebush (Hamelia patens)
• Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)
• Simpson Stopper (Myrcianthes fragrans)

🛠️ Maintenance

Growth Rate: Moderate.

Wild Coffee will typically grow 12–24 inches per year depending on light, moisture, and soil fertility. Growth is more upright in shade, and fuller in bright filtered light.

Pruning:

• Shape lightly 1–2× per year to maintain structure and fullness
• Pinch new growth to promote branching in young plants
• Renewal pruning (cutting stems to 6–12” above ground) every few years helps rejuvenate older, leggy shrubs

Irrigation Needs:

• Once established (after ~90 days), Wild Coffee is drought-tolerant in shaded conditions
• Supplemental irrigation is recommended if planted in partial sun, near reflective surfaces, or during dry winter periods
• Drip lines or micro-irrigation are ideal for slow, deep watering without over-saturating roots

Tip: Adding mulch around the base helps retain moisture and suppress weeds — but leave space around the trunk to prevent rot.