Coffee plant, scientifically known as Coffea Arabica, is a fascinating and rewarding addition to any gardener’s collection. Originating from the highlands of Ethiopia, this plant is famous for producing the beloved coffee beans that fuel many of our mornings.
However, it’s not just the beans that make this plant so captivating. The coffee plant is also a stunning ornamental with glossy leaves and delicate white flowers that bloom in the early summer.
It’s a self-pollinating plant, meaning you can enjoy the process of watching its small, fragrant blossoms turn into coffee cherries right in your own home.
The coffee plant is a relatively easy houseplant to care for, making it a favorite among indoor gardeners. With the correct lighting and proper care, it can thrive and even produce coffee beans in the right conditions.
This plant prefers a warm location with bright indirect light, similar to its native habitat in Ethiopia. However, it’s important to note that too much direct sunlight can cause leaf scorch, so it’s best to provide some shade, especially during the hottest parts of the day.
The coffee plant is a low-maintenance plant that can thrive in a pot indoors or outdoors, provided it receives the right conditions and care. With a little attention to detail, you can enjoy the beauty of this plant and even harvest your own coffee beans.
Botanical Name: Coffea arabica
Common Name: Coffee plant, Arabian coffee
Family: Rubiaceae
Plant Type: Perennial
Hardiness Zones: 9 – 11 (USDA)
Sun Exposure: Partial
Soil Type: Moist
Soil pH: Acidic
Bloom Time: Spring
Flower Color: White
Native Area: Africa
Coffee Plant Plant Care
Coffee plant, native to Ethiopia, is a self-pollinating shrub that produces the beloved coffee beans within its red coffee cherries.
As an easy houseplant, it thrives in a warm location with high humidity and bright indirect light, ideally near an east-facing window.
During the growing season, which is early summer, it’s crucial to maintain proper care by using well-drained soil rich in organic matter and avoiding over-fertilization, which can cause leaf scorch.
The plant roots should be kept in moist soil, but good drainage is essential to prevent waterlogged conditions.
Regular monitoring for pests is necessary, and if needed, solutions like neem oil or insecticidal soap can be applied.
Pruning, using sterile pruners, should be done at the leaf joint and at a 45-degree angle to promote healthy stem growth and prevent disease.
Light
The correct lighting is crucial for the coffee plant’s growth. As an easy houseplant, it thrives best in bright, indirect light.
Too much direct sunlight can lead to leaf scorch, so placing the plant near an east-facing window is ideal. In its native habitat of Ethiopia, the plant is accustomed to a warm location with high humidity and white flowers that bloom in the early summer under the correct lighting.
This ensures the plant’s glossy leaves and coffee cherries, which hold the sought-after coffee beans, develop optimally.
Soil
Coffee plant thrives in well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter, mimicking its native habitat in Ethiopia. The soil should provide ample nutrients and moisture for the plant roots without becoming waterlogged, as this can lead to root rot.
A pot with good drainage is essential if you are growing the coffee plant outdoors, as heavy rains can quickly saturatethe soil.
Using a mixture of peat, compost, and a well-draining potting mix can create the ideal environment for your coffee plant’s root ball, promoting healthy growth and abundant coffee cherries.
Water
The water requirements for a coffee plant are quite specific. They prefer moist, well-drained soil, mimicking their native habitat in Ethiopia.
During the growing season, which is usually in early summer, it’s best to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, as this can lead to root rot.
In the winter months, reduce watering as the plant’s growth slows down. It’s essential to always check the moisture level of the soil before watering to avoid overwatering.
A good tip is to water the plant until the excess water starts to drain from the pot, ensuring proper drainage.
Temperature and Humidity
Coffee plant thrives in a warm location with a consistent daytime temperature between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit during the growing season, and no lower than 60 degrees at nighttime.
This easy houseplant hails from the high humidity native habitat of Ethiopia, so it appreciates a similar environment indoors. Aim for a humidity level of at least 60%, which can be achieved by misting the glossy leaves regularly and placing a humidity tray nearby.
During periods of low humidity, consider using a humidifier to ensure the plant’s proper care.
Fertilizer
Coffee plant has moderate fertilization needs. During the growing season, it benefits from regular fertilization with a balanced fertilizer rich in organic matter.
The best time for fertilization is in early summer, coinciding with the plant’s active growth period and the development of its coffee cherries.
Applying the fertilizer at the base of the plant, around the drip line, and then watering it in will ensure that the nutrients reach the plant roots effectively. Proper care in fertilization will result in glossy leaves and abundant coffee bean production.
Pruning
Pruning the coffee plant is a crucial aspect of its proper care. It is best done in the early summer, the growing season, to encourage new growth.
Use sterile pruners to avoid spreading any diseases to the plant. Prune at a 45-degree angle just above a leaf joint to promote healthy stem development.
Remove any dead or yellowing leaves to maintain the plant’s vigor. If the plant is getting too large for its pot, you can also prune the root ball before repotting it in rich, well-drained soil.
Overwintering
Overwintering your coffee plant is crucial for its health. It’s best to keep the plant indoors where the nighttime temperature stays consistently above 60°F.
Ensure the pot has proper drainage to prevent waterlogging, as the plant roots don’t like sitting in water.
Maintain a moist soil, but be cautious not to overwater. Consider adding organic matter to the rich soil to keep it healthy throughout the low humidity winter months.
Types of Coffee Plant
- Coffea Arabica ‘Nana’: Coffea Arabica ‘Nana’ is a dwarf cultivar of the Coffea Arabica plant, which is the most popular species for commercial coffee production.
Coffea Arabica ‘Nana’
- Coffea Canephora: Coffea Canephora, commonly known as Robusta, is another well-known species of coffee plant. Unlike Arabica, Robusta has a higher caffeine content and is more resistant to pests and diseases.
Coffee Canephora
- Coffea Liberica: Coffea Liberica is a species of coffee plant native to West Africa. It is known for its large, leathery leaves and is often grown for its unique flavor profile.
Coffea Liberica
- Coffea Charrieriana: Coffea Charrieriana is a unique species of coffee plant discovered in Cameroon. What sets it apart is that its beans are completely caffeine-free.
Coffea Charrieriana
- Coffea Magnistipula: Coffea Magnistipula is a lesser-known species of coffee plant native to the rainforests of West Africa. It is prized for its large, white flowers and is often grown as an ornamental.
How to Plant Coffee Plant From Seed
Step 1: Choose the Right Seeds
To begin your planting coffee plant, you’ll need to start with the right seeds. These seeds are commonly known as coffee beans, which are actually the seeds of the coffee cherries.
Step 2: Prepare the Pot
Select a pot with good drainage to avoid waterlogging the plant roots. Fill the pot with well-drained soil rich in organic matter, mimicking the coffee plant’s native habitat in Ethiopia.
Step 3: Plant the Seeds
Plant the coffee beans at a 45-degree angle in the soil, ensuring that the leaf joint is facing upwards. Cover the seeds lightly with soil and water gently to provide adequate moisture.
Step 4: Provide the Correct Lighting
Place the pot in a warm location with bright indirect light. While the coffee plant enjoys bright light, too much direct sunlight can lead to leaf scorch. An east-facing window is an ideal spot.
Step 5: Monitor the Temperature and Humidity
The coffee plant thrives in warm temperatures during the day and slightly cooler nighttime temperatures. It also prefers high humidity, so consider placing a humidifier nearby or misting the plant regularly.
How to Propagate Coffee Plant
Step 1: Select the Right Stem
Choose a healthy, non-flowering stem that’s about 6 inches long and has at least two sets of leaves. This cutting should be taken from the coffee plant during its growing season, ideally in early summer.
Using sterile pruners, make a clean cut at a 45-degree angle just below a leaf joint. This angle maximizes the surface area for root development.
Step 2: Apply Rooting Hormone
To encourage root growth, dip the cut end of the stem in a rooting hormone powder or gel. This step is optional but can significantly improve the success rate of propagation.
The hormone helps stimulate the formation of new roots on the cutting.
Step 3: Prepare the Pot and Soil
Fill a small pot with well-drained soil. A mix of rich soil and organic matter provides the ideal growing medium for the coffee plant roots.
Moisten the soil slightly to create a conducive environment for root development. Make a hole in the soil using a pencil or your finger to accommodate the cutting.
Step 4: Plant the Cutting
Place the prepared cutting in the planting hole, ensuring that at least one set of leaves is above the soil line. Gently press the soil around the stem to provide stability.
If you’re propagating multiple cuttings, space them evenly in the pot to avoid overcrowding. Keep the pot in a warm location with bright indirect light.
How to Pot or Repot Coffee Plant
Step 1: Select the Right Pot and Soil
The first step in potting or repotting a coffee plant is to select the correct pot and soil. The pot should have good drainage to prevent waterlogging, which can lead to root rot.
A pot with a diameter that is 2-4 inches larger than the root ball is ideal. The soil should be a well-drained type rich in organic matter.
A mix of regular potting soil and some sand or perlite for improved drainage works well. Some gardeners also like to add a bit of compost or other organic matter to the soil for extra nutrients.
Step 2: Prepare the Plant
If you’re repotting an existing coffee plant, gently remove it from its current pot, being careful not to damage the roots or the leaf joint (the point where the leaf meets the stem).
If the plant is root-bound (with roots circling the root ball), use sterile pruners to make 1-2 inch cuts vertically around the root ball’s perimeter. This will encourage new root growth once the plant is in its new pot.
Step 3: Pot the Plant
Place the coffee plant in the center of the new pot and fill in around it with the prepared soil. The top of the root ball should be level with the soil surface.
Gently pat down the soil to remove any air pockets, but don’t compact it too much. Water the plant thoroughly until moisture runs out of the pot’s drainage holes.
Common Pests and Plant Diseases for Coffee Plant
Aphids
Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that can infest your coffee plant, particularly if it’s grown outdoors. They suck the sap from the plant’s stem and leaves, which can lead to leaf curl and yellowing.
Regular inspection and treatment with insecticidal soap can help control these pests.
Scale Insects
Scale insects are another common pest of the coffee plant. These pests attach themselves to the stem and leaf joints and feed on the plant’s sap, causing the leaves to yellow and drop.
They also secrete a sticky substance called honeydew, which can lead to the growth of sooty mold. Scale can be controlled by using neem oil or insecticidal soap.
Coffee Leaf Rust
Coffee leaf rust is a fungal disease that affects the coffee plant’s leaves. It appears as yellow spots on the upper surface of the leaf, with a corresponding orange or rust-colored powdery growth on the underside.
If left untreated, it can lead to defoliation and a decrease in the plant’s ability to produce coffee cherries. Proper care, including maintaining high humidity and using a fungicide, can help prevent and control this disease.
Root Rot
Root rot is a common issue for coffee plants, particularly if they are overwatered or grown in soil with poor drainage. The plant’s roots become dark and mushy, and the plant may show signs of wilting and leaf scorch.
To prevent root rot, ensure your coffee plant is potted in well-drained soil and water it only when the top inch of soil is dry.
Common Plant Problems and Solutions for Coffee Plant
Brown Tips and Leaf Scorch
One common issue that may arise in your coffee plant is the appearance of brown tips and leaf scorch. This occurs when the plant is exposed to too much direct sunlight, causing damage to the glossy leaves.
To combat this, ensure your coffee plant is placed in a warm location with bright indirect light. If the plant is near a window, an east-facing window is ideal to provide the correct lighting without the risk of sunburn.
Yellowing Leaves
Yellowing leaves in your coffee plant may be a sign of overwatering or poor drainage. If the plant roots sit in waterlogged soil, they can suffocate, leading to yellowing and eventual wilting.
To rectify this, ensure your pot has proper drainage and only water your coffee plant when the top layer of soil is dry to the touch. This will prevent overwatering and maintain the ideal moisture level for your plant.
Failure to Bloom
Coffee plants are known for their beautiful white flowers, which eventually give way to the famous coffee cherries. If your plant fails to bloom, it may be due to a lack of proper care during its growing season.
The best time to encourage blooming in your coffee plant is early summer. Ensure your plant is in a warm location with high humidity, similar to its native habitat in Ethiopia.
Plus, a self-pollinating cultivar can increase the chances of successful blooming and fruiting in your coffee plant.
Other Guides from Planet Natural:
Using Coffee Grounds for Plants: A Beginner’s Step by Step Guide
Copyright © 2004-2023