Coffee Arabica, commonly known as the Arabian coffee plant, is an old plant known in Europe since the 18th century.
It’s a gorgeous houseplant in the United States, but in its native habitat in Ethiopia, it can grow as tall as 15′ feet! Because of its large size, it’s often seen as a hedge in its native environment.
It’s easy to grow in Zones 9 to 10 because the climate of those zones mimics the weather in its native African habitat. However, it’s an easy-to-grow houseplant if you’re in a colder climate.
And if you’re wondering, this plant can actually produce coffee, although it will take a few years to mature enough to produce fruit.
An interesting note is that you cannot use coffee beans from a store to plant a coffee tree, as those beans have been roasted and treated and will not germinate.
Considered an easy-to-grow houseplant, the Coffee Arabica plant has a lot of advantages.
One important note, while the coffee beans are edible, all other parts of the plant are toxic to pets and humans.
Coffee Arabica also goes by several common names, including:
- Arabian Coffee
- Coffee Plant
- Coffee Tree
Quick Facts On Coffee Arabica
- Family: Rubiaceae
- Light: Partial shade with morning or later afternoon sun
- Temperature: 64° to 70° degrees Fahrenheit
- Water: Water twice a week
- Fertilizer: Diluted liquid fertilizer twice a month
- Propagation: Cuttings or seed
- Common Problems: Scale, mildew, brown leaf edges, leaf drop
Coffee Arabica Care
What Does The Coffee Tree Look Like, And How Big Does It Grow?
The Coffee arabica is an evergreen perennial with dark, shiny green leaves. The plants are lush and beautiful, with fragrant spring flowers.
If planted outdoors, it can grow up to 15′ feet tall with a spread of a few feet. However, your indoor plant won’t get that tall with the proper maintenance and pruning.
Most indoor coffee trees reach a maximum height of 6′ feet.
When Does The Coffee Tree Bloom? Are The Flowers Fragrant?
In spring, the Coffee arabica blossoms with small white flowers. Although they are relatively small, they are very fragrant; some say they smell like jasmine.
However, you won’t see blooms until your plant is around 3 years old.
If the blooms are pollinated outdoors, the fruit will appear, which looks like a ripe cherry when it turns red.
Each “cherry” fruit contains two seeds, eventually becoming coffee beans.
The coffee tree can produce 0.5- 2.5 lbs. of coffee beans with the right temperature, soil, humidity, and care.
What Are The Lighting Needs And Temperature Requirements?
The coffee tree prefers partial shade but loves morning or late afternoon sun. The perfect amount of sunlight is from 4 to 6 hours per day.
If kept indoors, you can place it in a west- or east-facing window. One will provide morning sun, while the other will give late afternoon sun. Your plant should be happy in either location.
Its optimal temperature ranges from around 64° to 70° degrees Fahrenheit.
If your coffee arabica plant is indoors, ensure it’s at room temperature, between 70° to 80° degrees Fahrenheit, and has 4 to 5 hours of sunlight daily.
Temperature and sunlight, along with soil and humidity, will give your plant the best chance for flowering.
The easy temperature requirement is one of the reasons it is so easy to take care of.
Just beware of air conditioning or heating drafts from vents above the plant, as any drafts can negatively affect the plant.
As long as it is planted outdoors in zones 9 to 10, the plant should flourish with the region’s temperature, humidity, and sunlight.
How And When To Water And Fertilize The Coffee Tree?
It’s essential to water the coffee tree regularly twice a week to keep the soil moist.
In addition, you may need to mist the leaves with soft water (as opposed to hard mineral water) to replicate the humidity and moisture required.
To ensure it is adequately watered, check the top few inches of the soil every few days. If it’s dry, then it’s time to water again.
In addition, to ensure the plant’s vigorous growth, feed the Arabian coffee plant twice a month. The plant will do best with diluted liquid fertilizer.
What Is The Best Soil For Coffee Arabica, And When Should You Transplant?
Coffee arabica prefers well-draining potting soil based mixed with peat.
While it’s not necessary to test for pH, the Arabian coffee plant prefers more acidic soil.
So if you see that your plant isn’t thriving, you can add more peat moss to your soil to increase the pH level of the plant.
The ideal soil pH range for the coffee plants is 6 to 6.5.
Does Coffee Arabica Need Special Grooming Or Maintenance?
If you’re going to prune your Coffee arabica for shape or size, it’s best to do so in the spring.
You can also save your cuttings for propagation if you desire.
However, you can trim or cut dead or injured leaves at any time of the year.
How To Propagate Coffee Tree?
The coffee tree is easy to propagate via stem cuttings, especially if you’re already pruning your plant in the spring.
Here’s how to do it:
- Use clean, sharp pruning shears or scissors to cut a healthy stem off your plant.
- You’ll want a straight stem about 8-10 inches long.
- Remove all leaves except one pair at the top.
- Place the stem in a small pot of hummus, coarse sand, and peat moss (no soil).
In about 4 to 6 weeks, you can gently tug on the plant and know the roots have formed.
Coffee Arabica Pests And Diseases
The Coffee tree is pretty resistant to pests and diseases.
Most issues are due to poor lighting conditions (either too much sun or not enough), improper watering (too much or not enough water), or incorrect temperature (too high or too low).
For example, if you have green leaves falling off your plant, it needs more sunlight. Ensure it’s receiving early morning or late afternoon sun, indoors or out.
If the edges of your leaves turn brown or they lose gloss, your coffee tree receives too much direct sun.
Make sure your coffee arabica it’s receiving shade in the midday and only receiving morning or late afternoon sun.
If you spot mildew on the leaves of your plant, it’s likely from overwatering.
Ensure you consistently water your plants, but probably no more than twice a week.
If you are watering more often, you may get a fungal infestation or root rot, which can be challenging to treat.
Suggested Arabician Coffee Uses
The Coffea arabica can be used to complement a tropical garden setting or add appealing color and height to a home garden.
You can find it in the hobby and botanical gardens, as well as in many indoor settings.
In addition to being a natural coffee producer, the Coffee Arabica plant is a natural air purifier.
If your Coffea arabica plant has the right temperature, soil, and light, it will be around for years of enjoyment.