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    Plants

    Coffee Plant Guide: How to Grow & Care for “Coffea Arabica”

    Read our guide to Coffee Plant for everything you will ever need to know! Tips for planting & caring for “Coffea Arabica”
    Miruna SecuianuBy Miruna SecuianuFebruary 9, 2023
    Coffee Plant
    Coffee Plant Guide: How to Grow & Care for “Coffea Arabica”
    Affiliate Disclosure: We independently test & research all products reviewed on the site. We may earn a small commission if you buy through one of our links. This does not affect our reviews or placement of products on the site.

    Coffea Arabica, also known as the Coffee plant, is a species of flowering plants in the Coffea genus. Coffee plants are native to tropical Asia and regions of southern and tropical Africa. They belong to the Rubiaceae family.

    Their fruits were and still are very appealing to many animals. In the 1500s, Coffee plants were firstly discovered by a goat herder in Ethiopia. After he saw his goats feasting on coffee fruits, he noticed a radical change in their behavior: they became full of energy and stayed up all night.

    Without knowing what to do with his findings, the herder humbly shared them with local monks. Once they prepared some coffee drinks, the monks realized that they could pray all night long. Pretty interesting, huh?

    Many people prefer Arabica coffee beans in their morning coffee due to their strong effect and sweet taste. Besides this common association, coffee beans have a lot of health and beauty benefits. They are also used as an ingredient in many culinary recipes, especially yummy desserts like Tiramisu or ice cream.

    Table of Contents

    Toggle
    • About Coffea Arabica a.k.a Coffee Plant
    • Coffee Plant Features: An Overview
    • Growing Coffee Plants
    • Repotting Coffee Plants
    • Watering Coffee Plants
    • Propagating Coffee Plant
    • In Conclusion

    About Coffea Arabica a.k.a Coffee Plant

    • Coffee trees were first discovered in Kaffa, a former Ethiopian province. This is the place where Coffee plants got their name.
    • Although many of us are coffee lovers, some people go beyond that. Beethoven was such a big fan of coffee that he would count exactly 60 beans per cup before making it.
    • Coffee beans serve as an excellent natural treatment for dark circles and cellulite reduction, hair growth stimulator, and skin exfoliator. They can also be used as a cleaning product for your body or home.
    • Most growers prefer to include coffee beans in other plants’ growth, such as mushrooms or carrots. They are popular in the gardening world because they repel insects, pests, and feline intruders.
    • Nowadays, coffee plants are one of the most valuable and widely traded crops around the world. They are an important export product for many countries.
    • Hawaii is the only region in the United States that is suitable for growing coffee plants. It was known for its coffee production even before it became a state.
    • Coffee plants do well in a slightly warm location where they can receive bright and indirect light. When it comes to planting, they prefer to grow in slightly acidic soil.
    • During their growing season in spring, they will benefit from a weak liquid fertilizer once a two or three weeks. Once the winter has settled in, you should feed your plant monthly.
    • The caffeine in coffee beans works as a natural defense mechanism against wildlife. Make sure you keep your coffee plant in a place where it is out of your pets’ reach. That’s going to be a bit difficult because we all know that cats can get anywhere.
    The Coffee plant or Coffee tree
    The Coffee plant or Coffee tree

    Coffee Plant Features: An Overview

    • Coffea genus includes over 120 species that are grown from seed. The most popular cultivars are Arabica (C. Arabica) with about 60-80% of coffee production around the world and Robusta (C. Canephora) which accounts only for 20-40%.
    • Coffee plants have a high lifespan, with some specimens that have lived for 100 years. However, they are at their best productive period in their 7 to 20 years of age.
    • Coffea Arabica plants are shrubs or small trees that can grow more than 30 feet (10 m) tall in their natural habitat.
    • These woody evergreen plants have shiny, dark-green leaves with ruffled margins that appear on willowy stems.
    • After three to four years from planting, coffee plants exhibit white, star-shaped bloomings. These delicate flowers have a nice and sweet fragrance.
    • Coffee plants need about five years to reach their full potential. Their blooms are followed by green, red, or yellow fruits called cherries that change their color to black-ish red when ripen.
    • Their cherries take about 9 months to ripen. In the meantime, growers are not able to use any seeds for consuming.
    • Each fruit produces two seeds which are what we otherwise know today as coffee beans. Like their seeds, the fruits also contain a large amount of caffeine.
    • Some specimens may produce fruits with one seed only. These seeds are usually called peaberries and they are smaller and rounder than a regular coffee bean.
    Harvesting the berries from a coffee plant
    Harvesting the berries from a coffee plant

    Growing Coffee Plants

    If you want to bring one of these mesmerizing and highly scented plants into your home or garden, there is no better choice to make. They are suitable for both indoor and outdoor growing as long as you manage to provide them with environmental conditions that are similar to their natural habitat. And we can tell you for sure that is not as difficult as it sounds!

    Coffee plants can be found growing in the forest, so they do not appreciate a lot of bright and direct light. They can withstand dappled to full sunlight only if you live in regions with cool summers. When exposed to harsh light, their leaves will start to get brown and die off.

    These plants do well in a location where they can receive plenty of bright, but indirect light. Make sure you place them near a window or in a bright corner to protect them from too much sunlight. When growing them outdoors, it’s best to plant them in a shaded spot that can provide them with some morning sun exposure.

    Coffea Arabica
    Coffea Arabica

    Coffee plants prefer the slightly warm conditions found in the tropical zones with mid-elevation mountains. The optimal temperatures for healthy growth are somewhere between 65 and 75 °F (18-24 °C). During the autumn and winter, these plants can tolerate cooler temperatures, but they will not get along with frost at all.

    If you live in a region with hot climates and you grow these plants for their beans, it is better to keep them away from higher temperatures. Extreme temperatures and full sun will boost the growth of coffee plants. Although that might sound appealing, it’s not recommended because their fruits have more flavor if they ripen at a slow pace.

    Repotting Coffee Plants

    Coffee plants can grow in slightly acidic to neutral soil, but the ideal soil pH is anything between 6 and 6.5. They do best in a peat-based and well-draining potting soil that is rich in organic matter. If your coffee plant does not thrive in its current potting mix, you can always add more organic matter, such as peat moss.

    They need regular repotting every spring. Keep in mind that their pot should have several holes at the bottom to improve drainage. Look for a container that is a bit larger than the current one, fill it with suitable potting soil, and transplant the plant carefully. If you want to maintain a certain size of your coffee plant, the foliage can be pruned anytime you feel like doing it. You can also prune the roots to keep it in the same pot for a longer time.

    Coffee plants will sometimes be bothered by pests like aphids, mealybugs, and mites. These intruders will show their presence through clumps of white powdery residue, tiny webs, or just visible insects on the plant. If you notice any sign of infestation, you can treat your plant with a cotton pad dipped in rubbing alcohol. When this method is not enough, you need to look for more serious chemicals like insecticides or pesticides.

    Bestseller No. 1
    Coffee Plant Arabica (4 Pack) Real Live Plant for Sale | Coffee Lover's Dream | Easy to Grow Live for Planting | Grow Your Own Food on Your Edible Organic Garden |
    Coffee Plant Arabica (4 Pack) Real Live Plant for Sale | Coffee Lover's Dream | Easy to Grow Live for Planting | Grow Your Own Food on Your Edible Organic Garden |
    • Perfect Gift for Coffee Lovers: Delight the coffee enthusiast in your life with these four Arabica coffee plants, an ideal gift that keeps on giving.
    • Grow Your Own Coffee Beans: Enjoy the satisfaction of harvesting your own fresh coffee beans right from your home garden, adding a personal touch to your morning brew and offering a sustainable way to produce your own coffee beans at home.
    • Easy to Grow and Maintain: Our coffee plants are resilient and adaptable, making them perfect for growing in outdoor gardens, containers, patios, or even indoors.
    • Sustainable Living and Gardening: Cultivate your own coffee crop with these seedlings, perfect for a food-producing edible garden that supports self-sustaining, eco-friendly living.
    • Eco-Conscious Choice: Growing your own coffee helps reduce your carbon footprint and supports a more sustainable lifestyle, cutting down on the need for store-bought products.
    $29.99
    View on Amazon
    Bestseller No. 2
    American Plant Exchange Arabica Coffee Real Live Plant, 6' Pot, Flowering Indoor Outdoor Air Purifier, Green Rippled Leaves
    American Plant Exchange Arabica Coffee Real Live Plant, 6" Pot, Flowering Indoor Outdoor Air Purifier, Green Rippled Leaves
    • Lush, Tropical Foliage – Features glossy, dark green leaves, bringing a vibrant, exotic touch to any indoor space
    • Air-Purifying & Pet-Friendly – Naturally removes toxins from the air, promoting a healthier home or office environment while being safe for pets
    • Low-Maintenance & Easy-Care – Thrives in bright, indirect light with regular watering, making it ideal for beginners and plant lovers alike
    • Versatile Indoor & Outdoor Plant – Perfect for indoor décor, patios, or greenhouse environments, thriving in humid, tropical conditions
    • Grow Your Own Coffee – With time and proper care, this Arabica Coffee Plant can produce fragrant white flowers and coffee beans for home harvesting
    $26.99 Amazon Prime
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    Bestseller No. 3
    California Tropicals Arabica Coffee Plant - 4'' Live Plant, Coffee Tree, Cutie Beans, Indoor Plant Care, Gift for Coffee Lovers, House Plants Indoors for Beginners, Flowering Trees & Shrubs
    California Tropicals Arabica Coffee Plant - 4'' Live Plant, Coffee Tree, Cutie Beans, Indoor Plant Care, Gift for Coffee Lovers, House Plants Indoors for Beginners, Flowering Trees & Shrubs
    • FEATURED: Vibrant Arabica Coffee Plant - Elevate your space with the exquisite beauty of a 4" Arabica Coffee Plant from California Tropicals. Experience the joy of nurturing this coffee plant while enjoying its lush green leaves and the promise of aromatic coffee beans in your very own space. Perfect for coffee plant enthusiasts, this is an opportunity to bring the charm of coffee culture to your home.
    • TRUE-TO-LIFE VISUALS - Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our listings. We provide you with high-quality images, ensuring that you receive exactly what you see. Say goodbye to unwelcome surprises and hello to a stunning coffee plant gracing your home or office. Ideal for collectors of low light house plants, this is a chance to acquire a piece of nature that's as beautiful as it is authentic.
    • READY TO THRIVE IN A 4" POT - We understand that plant care should be hassle-free. Our Arabica Coffee Plant comes fully rooted in a 4" pot, ready to flourish in your environment. It's not just a plant; it's an invitation to enhance your surroundings with natural beauty and the enticing aroma of coffee. Perfect for those who appreciate cold coffee and high brew coffee, this is your opportunity to enjoy the benefits of both nature and a coffee-infused atmosphere.
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    • TRUST IN CALIFORNIA TROPICALS - When you choose California Tropicals, you're selecting a brand renowned for its unwavering commitment to quality and plant care. Our Arabica Coffee Plant embodies our dedication to delivering the best to your doorstep. Join our community of coffee plant enthusiasts and enjoy the delightful essence of cold coffee and high brew coffee within your own space. Welcome to the world of California Tropicals!
    $16.99
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    Last update on 2025-08-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

    Watering Coffee Plants

    If you water these plants properly, they will grow healthy and happy and they’ll quickly become great companions to your other flowers, trees, and shrubs. Coffee plants are water-lovers so they need both regular and abundant watering. Be careful though, as too much watering can cause your plant to root rot and die off with time. But finding the perfect balance isn’t difficult at all! In fact, it is quite easy once you understand your plant’s demands.

    The potting soil should be constantly damp, but coffee plants will not appreciate waterlogging or soggy conditions. Make sure you always check the soil in-between waterings and do not allow it to dry out completely. You can use the ‘soak and dry’ technique which consists of watering your coffee plants when you notice that the top few inches of soil are dry.

    Coffee plants thrive in humid environments. In their natural habitat, they receive plenty of rain and fog, so they are used to humidity levels that are higher than 50%. If the air around your plant is too dry, you can mist your plant daily to maintain the ideal humidity.

    Propagating Coffee Plant

    Coffee plants can be easily propagated using fresh seeds or those from an existing plant. But their seeds will take a long time to germinate, as these plants grow relatively slow. The good news is that you can propagate them faster through stem cuttings. This technique will allow you to add more coffee plants to your garden or to gift them to your caffeine-loving friends.

    The cuttings respond well to propagation when they are taken in early summer. They should be about 8 to 10 inches (20-25 cm) long and contain only a pair of upper leaves. Fill a pot with fresh potting mix, plant your cuttings, and keep the soil slightly damp. You will know that a healthy root system has developed when you can feel some resistance while pulling the stem.

    In Conclusion

    Now that you know where your daily coffee comes from, you must add these one or more of these plants to your collection. Coffee plants are pretty easy to grow and make for great lifetime companions due to their long lives. If proper care is given, they can enhance their surroundings with their strong and lovely fragrance.

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    Miruna
    Miruna Secuianu
    • Website

    Miruna is an experienced content writer with a passion for gardening. She is the proud owner of an outdoor rose garden and an indoor collection of tiny succulents. She bought her first succulent 10 years ago - an adorable Echeveria Setosa. Now she owns more than 100 succulents and cacti of different colors, shapes, and sizes. Miruna is a versatile writer and, as you might have guessed, her favorite topic is gardening. Contact miruna@gardenbeast.com

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    2 Comments

    1. Birku Menkir on June 19, 2022 6:33 pm

      Thank you for the most clear and useful information about coffee growing indoors and outdoors and the necessary environment thereof. Although I come from a coffee growing country (Ethiopia) I learnt much from your writings. Currently I managed to grow both Arabica and Robusta in my garden here in Central Florida from fresh beans. I am hoping that the several healthy seedlings would survive.

      Reply
    2. A Ladell Patterson on March 9, 2023 8:51 pm

      I have found great success in using diluted orange oil for treating your coffee trees when they get pest. Its safe and enviromentally friendly.

      Reply

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