Three houseplants in rich shades of green, put together for a warm, leafy look: a real coffee plant, a rubber plant and a variegated peperomia.
Coffea arabica is the species grown for coffee, and indoors it makes a compact, bushy plant with glossy, wavy-edged dark green leaves; mature plants may eventually carry small white flowers, but young plants are grown for their foliage. Ficus elastica 'Robusta' is the classic rubber plant, with large, thick, glossy deep green leaves on an upright stem. Peperomia obtusifolia 'Variegata', the variegated baby rubber plant, is a neat little plant with fleshy rounded leaves in green and cream that stays small enough for a desk or shelf. Grouped together they give a good mix of leaf size, shape and texture.
All three want bright, indirect light out of harsh sun. The coffee plant likes its compost kept evenly moist and enjoys humidity, so mist it or stand it on a tray of damp pebbles; the rubber plant and peperomia should dry out on top between waterings, and the peperomia in particular is easily killed by overwatering. Keep them warm, above about 15C, away from cold draughts. Feed in spring and summer and wipe the rubber plant's leaves now and then. The rubber plant dislikes being moved, so settle it in one place.
Supplied as three plants in 1 litre pots, ready to enjoy. The coffee plant is harmful to cats and dogs because of the caffeine in its leaves, and the rubber plant is harmful if eaten and its milky sap can irritate skin, so keep the set away from children and pets.
Cultural Information
Common Name: Coffee plant, rubber plant and variegated baby rubber plant
Fully Grown Height and Spread: Coffee plant 100 to 150cm, rubber plant 100 to 200cm, peperomia 20 to 30cm indoors
Growth Habit: Bushy upright, upright tree-like, and compact mound
Perfect For: Bright windowsills, kitchens, living rooms and conservatories
Foliage: Glossy wavy-edged dark green leaves, large glossy green leaves, and fleshy green and cream leaves
Flowering Time: Coffee plant may flower when mature; grown for foliage
Planting Position: Bright to medium indirect light indoors
Soil Type: Free-draining, peat-free houseplant compost
Hardiness: Tender, indoor only; keep above 15C
Maintenance: Moderate; the coffee plant wants humidity and even moisture
Seasonal Interest: Evergreen foliage
Type: Houseplant collection of three plants
