Liberian Coffee, Coffea Liberica, is a native to the forests of tropical Africa, Liberia and Ivory Coast. This beautiful long-living plant is strong, lush, with fruits and seeds proportion double to those of Arabica and more immune to parasites attacks. This fruit bearing tree requires high humidity and temperature and plentiful water. Liberian Coffee is an upright evergreen tree that reaches a height from 5 to 20 meters.

The desirable characteristic of resistant to parasites makes Coffea Liberica the preferable graft-holder for obtaining, by cross, new varieties that are by and large present in the Ivory Coast and in Madagascar. While the Liberian Coffee beans are of a lower quality to Arabica still they give a pleasant coffee aroma.

In cultivation besides coffea arabica and coffea robusta (canefora), there are no other important coffee cultivars that are presently in commercial production and Coffea Liberica accounts for only around 1% of commercially grown coffee.

Coffea Liberica leaves are dark, glossy green, 20-30 cm long. The plant will only flower when days are 13 hours or shorter. Berries are relatively large, turning dull red or light yellow at maturity. They contain little flesh and are usually, after the coffee beans (seeds) are removed for processing, discarded.

Liberian Coffee grows well in part shade or full sun. It needs abundant water and well-drained soil. Tree propagation is commonly by seed since coffee varieties typically come fairly true to parent plant from seed. However, superior varieties can be propagated by cuttings and grafting. Seedlings begin to bear after 4-5 years. Mature plants can tolerate 20-30 days of moderate drought.

Liberian Coffee, Coffea Liberica

Interested on Fruit and Nut Bearing Trees and Plants? Stay Tuned. There is Much More to Come.

The key to successful fruit and nut production is the provision of a beneficial environment for the trees that bear them.