Plant Library

Other Names:  Syn. Coffea robusta

Description:

An upright tropical shrub or small tree that is widely commercially cultivated; berries are edible with a grape-like texture, but it is the seeds that are dried and roasted; higher yield with a stronger, full bodied flavor than Arabica

Edible Qualities

Robusta Coffee is a large shrub that is typically grown for its edible qualities, although it does have ornamental merits as well. It produces dark red oval fruit which are typically harvested when mature. The fruits have an earthy taste.

The fruit are most often used in the following ways:

• Eating When Cooked/Prepared

Features & Attributes

Robusta Coffee has attractive dark green evergreen foliage on a plant with an upright spreading habit of growth. The textured oval leaves are highly ornamental and remain dark green throughout the winter. It features an abundance of magnificent dark red berries from early to mid fall.

This is a multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition. This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It is a good choice for attracting birds and butterflies to your yard. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Aside from its primary use as an edible, Robusta Coffee is sutiable for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Hedges/Screening
• General Garden Use
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Robusta Coffee will grow to be about 20 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 10 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 50 years or more.

This shrub can be integrated into a landscape or flower garden by creative gardeners, but is usually grown in a designated edibles garden. It should be grown in a location with partial shade. Keep it away from hot, dry locations that receive direct afternoon sun or which get reflected sunlight, such as against the south side of a white wall. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It may require supplemental watering during periods of drought or extended heat. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is not originally from North America..

Robusta Coffee is a good choice for the edible garden, but it is also well-suited for use in outdoor pots and containers. Its large size and upright habit of growth lend it for use as a solitary accent, or in a composition surrounded by smaller plants around the base and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when grown in a container, it may not perform exactly as indicated on the tag - this is to be expected. Also note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.