A south Florida native, Psychotria nervosa is a showy evergreen shrub with deep green, waxy, deeply veined leaves. The white flowers are inconspicuous, but give way to attractive red berries that resemble coffee beans, hence the common name wild coffee. This multi-trunk shrub is highly adaptable. It can be used as mass plantings, trimmed to create espaliers, hedges and privacy screens, or grown as a moderate height specimen (up to 15 foot tall). It is tolerant of poor soil so long as it is well drained and remains moist. Its form and foliage will be more attractive when planted in filtered light. Full sun is acceptable but will cause the leaves to yellow prematurely. Blooms during spring and summer, Apr-Sept. Psychotria nervosa is a member of the Madder family, which includes "true" coffee and quinine. zones 9-12
Growing Instructions
1. Soak the seed in water for several hours.
2. Prepare a mixture of half potting soil and half sand, perlite or vermiculite. Water the mixture so that it is moist but not wet.
3. Put the seeds on the soil.
4. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil.
5. Water the seeds.
6. Place the pots in an area with warm temperatures in full sun or part shade.
7. When the seedlings are a few inches tall, they can be transplanted.