The coca plant or shrub is long-lived. A well-cultivated orchard will remain in excellent condition from 50 to 75 years. Generally, however, the older or injured plants are replaced from time to time with young plants, so that the orchard is kept green and vigorous.

As is the case with ordinary fruit trees, the young plants are usually grown in a nursery. They are grown from seeds which are planted during the rainy season, and they are also propagated from cuttings. When seeds are used great care must be taken that the moisture in the soil is kept high enough to secure a proper germination; and, in the conservatory, this is done by covering the soil where seeds are planted with glass. Coca seeds are rather difficult to get, because of their being so prized by birds.