Psychotria nervosa
 
Common Names Wild Coffee, Seminole Balsamo
 
Zones 10B–11
 
A shade-loving, evergreen shrub native to South Florida and the Caribbean, Psychotria nervosa is a staple of tropical hammock understories. Its glossy, deeply veined leaves and bright red fruits offer year-round visual interest and ecological value. Often used in native landscaping, it supports pollinators and birds while thriving in low-light, low-maintenance conditions.
 
Key Features
Growth Habit: Rounded, multi-stemmed shrub; dense foliage
Height: Typically 4–10 ft (1.2–3 m); spread 4–8 ft
Leaves: Opposite, simple, dark green; elliptic to obovate; 4–8 in long; deeply veined with puckered texture
Bark: Smooth, gray-brown; stems green and medium-thick
Flowers: Small, white; tubular; bloom spring through summer; attract Atala and Schaus’ swallowtail butterflies
Fruit: Oval red drupes; resemble coffee beans; ripen in clusters; consumed by birds2
Ecology: Nectar source for native bees and butterflies; fruits attract birds and small mammals; supports pollinator diversity in shaded habitats
 
Growing Conditions
Light: Part shade to full shade
Watering: Moderate; prefers consistent moisture but tolerates dry spells
Soil: Sandy, loamy, or calcareous; well-drained; acidic to alkaline pH
Temperature: Sensitive below 35°F (1.6°C); protect from frost
Humidity: High tolerance; thrives in subtropical humidity
Propagation: Seed or cuttings; slow germination
Tolerance: Poor salt tolerance; moderate drought tolerance
 
Landscape Use Ideal for shaded native beds, wildlife corridors, and hammock restoration. Use as a specimen, low hedge, or mass planting under canopy trees. Pairs well with Zamia integrifolia, Eugenia axillaris, and Tillandsia utriculata.