Coffea canephora

RHS Plant Profile

Rio Nunez coffee

Other common names

robusta coffee

Synonyms

Coffea robusta

Shrubs Trees

An evergreen shrub or tree to 8m, with opposite pairs of glossy, dark green leaves. Fragrant, 5-petalled, white flowers are produced in the leaf axils in summer; these are followed by green fruits that ripen over several months to red "cherries". Each fruit contains two seeds (coffee beans)

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height: 4-8 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Neutral

Position

Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H1A

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Rubiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Columnar upright
Genus: Coffea are a genus of flowering shrubs or small trees, native to tropical and southern Africa and tropical Asia. The seeds of some species are more commonly known as coffee beans and the white flowers are highly fragranced
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: W Africa (Congo)

How to Grow

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

Propagation

Propagate by sowing fresh seed. Germination may be erratic

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Houseplants
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

See pruning group 9; may require restrictive pruning under glass

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite

Diseases

High Risk Host for Xylella fastidiosa