About
Coffea liberica is an evergreen shrub or tree that can reach heights of up to 8 meters. It features opposite pairs of large, shiny, dark green leaves, which can grow as long as 30 centimeters. In summer, it produces fragrant white flowers from the leaf axils. These flowers develop into green fruits that gradually mature into red "cherries." Each fruit houses two seeds, commonly known as coffee beans.
About the genus
Coffea is a genus composed of flowering shrubs and small trees found in tropical and southern Africa as well as tropical Asia. Certain species produce seeds commonly referred to as coffee beans, and the plants bear white, fragrant flowers.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Partial shade
- Soil type
- Loam
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H1A
Plant details
- Plant type
- Shrubs, Trees
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 4-8 metres
- Spread
- 2.5-4 metres
- Time to full height
- 5-10 years
- Suggested uses
- Houseplants
- Native to
- W Africa
- Fragrance
- Flower
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Under glass grow in peat-free. loam-based potting compost with added extra organic matter. Provide moderate to high humidity and protect from draughts. Water freely during the growing season and apply a balanced liquid feed every two weeks; water moderately in winter. Repot every 2-3 years in spring
- Pruning
- See pruning group 9; may require restrictive pruning under glass
- Propagation
- Propagate by sowing fresh seed. Germination may be erratic
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite
- Disease resistance
- High Risk Host for Xylella fastidiosa