Coffea arabica - Information and Care Guide for Your Coffee Plant
Coffea arabica, known as the Arabian coffee plant, is an elegant evergreen shrub native to Ethiopia’s highlands. Celebrated for its lush foliage and fragrant flowers, this plant offers the unique appeal of growing your own coffee beans at home. With proper care, Coffea arabica can thrive indoors, adding exotic beauty to your space while offering the potential for home-grown coffee.
Key Features of Coffea arabica
- Growth Habit: Can reach up to 8 meters in its natural habitat, but indoors, it typically grows 1-2 meters. Its compact, bushy form can be shaped through pruning.
- Leaf Characteristics: Glossy, dark green, elliptical leaves with prominent veins and wavy edges.
- Flowers and Fragrance: Produces small, star-shaped white flowers with a jasmine-like scent.
- Fruit Production: Green berries mature into bright red coffee cherries, each containing two seeds (coffee beans).
- Native Habitat: Thrives in high humidity, warm temperatures, and well-draining soil, conditions that should be replicated indoors.
How to Care for Coffea arabica
- Light Requirements: Prefers bright, indirect light. Can handle some direct morning or late afternoon sun but avoid harsh midday sun to prevent leaf scorch.
- Watering: Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. Water when the top 2-3 cm of soil feels dry, allowing excess water to drain.
- Humidity: Thrives in 60%+ humidity. Use a humidifier or group with other plants to create a humid microclimate.
- Soil: Use well-draining, slightly acidic soil (pH 6.0-6.5) rich in organic matter. A mix of peat, perlite, and compost is ideal.
- Fertilization: Feed every 4-6 weeks during the growing season with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer (NPK ratio 3:1:2 or 4:1:2).
Pruning and Repotting
- Pruning: Regularly prune to maintain shape and size. Remove dead or yellowing leaves, trimming just above a leaf node to encourage growth.
- Repotting: Every 2-3 years in spring. Use a slightly larger pot with fresh soil. Prune roots if necessary.
Common Issues and Their Solutions
- Yellow Leaves: Sign of overwatering. Reduce watering frequency and improve drainage.
- Brown Leaf Tips: Caused by low humidity or inconsistent watering. Increase humidity and maintain a stable watering routine.
- Root Rot: Results from excessive moisture. Ensure soil is well-draining and never let the plant sit in standing water.
- Pests: Susceptible to spider mites, mealybugs, and scale insects. Treat with neem oil or insecticidal soap.
Advanced Growing Tips
- Propagation by Seeds: Plant fresh seeds in well-draining soil. Maintain a temperature of 25°C for optimal germination.
- Propagation by Cuttings: Take a healthy cutting, remove lower leaves, and dip in rooting hormone. Plant in moist soil and cover to retain humidity.
Etymology of Coffea arabica
The genus name Coffea comes from the Arabic word qahwa (coffee). The species name arabica refers to its long history of cultivation on the Arabian Peninsula.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can Coffea arabica grow outdoors? Yes, in tropical and subtropical regions. In temperate climates, bring it indoors when temperatures drop below 15°C.
- What is the best way to fertilize Coffea arabica? Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during the growing season.
- How long does it take for Coffea arabica to bear fruit? Usually 3-4 years with proper care.
- Is Coffea arabica safe for pets? No, the plant can be toxic if ingested, especially the beans.
Order your Coffea arabica today and start your coffee-growing journey at home!
Coffea arabica
Coffea arabica comes in following sizes:
baby (XS) - comes in a 6 cm pot and is ca. 15 cm tall
M - comes in a 12 cm pot and is ca. 15 cm tall
