Wild Coffee
Psychotria nervosa
Varieties We Bring In
Last received Jul 16, 2026.
We bring this in seasonally, so what is on the lot changes week to week. A received date shows when it last came in, not that it is here today.
Call (904) 471-0440 to confirm this plant and size before you make the trip.
About Wild Coffee
Wild Coffee (Psychotria nervosa) is a Florida-native evergreen shrub with deeply veined, glossy leaves and clusters of small white flowers followed by bright red berries. It is an outstanding shade-garden shrub for Central and South Florida but is cold-sensitive and best protected or avoided in NE Florida zone 9b, where hard freezes can kill it to the ground. Starting at $9.95.
Plant details
- Bloom Season
- Spring, Summer
- Flower Color
- White
- Growth Rate
- Moderate
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Soil
- Sandy, Loam, Acidic, Well-drained
Best planting months
Seasonal care
Bloom season. Good planting window.
Bloom season.
Bloom season. Ideal planting window.
Bloom season. Retains foliage through winter.
Care essentials
Wild Coffee thrives in partial to full shade; plants placed in full sun frequently develop chlorotic (yellowing) foliage. Use it as an understory shrub beneath established canopy trees.
Once established, Wild Coffee is quite drought-tolerant and needs only occasional irrigation during extended dry spells. Avoid consistently wet soils, which can promote root problems.
Adapts to any well-drained soil, including poor sandy soils typical of NE Florida. Little or no fertilizer is needed once established; light organic mulch helps retain moisture and moderate soil temperature.
Similar needs
Beautyberry
Shares 6 of the same needs: shade, low water, sandy, salt tolerance, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Cast Iron Plant
Shares 5 of the same needs: shade, low water, sandy, salt tolerance, and zone 9a hardiness.
Oyster Plant
Shares 5 of the same needs: shade, low water, sandy, salt tolerance, and zone 9a hardiness.
Holly Fern
Shares 4 of the same needs: shade, loam, salt tolerance, and zone 9a hardiness.
Viburnum
Shares 5 of the same needs: shade, sandy, salt tolerance, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Perennial Peanut
Shares 6 of the same needs: shade, low water, sandy, salt tolerance, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
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Common questions
Is Wild Coffee a good plant for St. Augustine?
Wild Coffee is a shrub for Zone 9b coastal Florida gardens, with medium salt tolerance, reaching 4-10 feet × 4-8 feet.
Care information verified from
Last reviewed February 2026. Our care guidance comes from trusted horticulture sources and decades of helping St. Augustine gardeners. Conditions here can vary dramatically from one area to the next, so come ask us and we'll tailor it to your yard.