How to Care for Coffee Plant - Expert Tips for Thriving Plants

We probably are all familiar with Coffee Plants. But guess what? You can grow your very own adorable Coffee plant at home. Isn't that awesome? Coffea Arabica is a unique tropical houseplant that loves to grow in pots. Keep in mind that you might not get Coffee from it. If you're lucky enough to see it bloom and produce fruit, you could spot some beans too. However, the harvest will be small and more for fun.

Coffea Arabica is a species of Coffee that is native to the tropical regions of Ethiopia but is widely cultivated in other countries, including Southeast Asia, South America, and Central America. In optimal habitats, this beauty can grow up to 2 meters! But in an indoor setting, they will remain fairly small, which makes her the perfect plant to place on, where else, your Coffee table!

As a young plant, the foliage is quite bright, but once they grow into mature plants, the leaves take a deep green colour, making them extra attractive. Coffee Plants are known for their beautiful and fragrant small white flowers that bloom in groups among the leaves. When the plant's fruit is ripe, it turns a dark red. Each fruit holds two seeds, the famous Coffee beans used to make the popular beverage.

Coffea Plant Care: 10 expert tips for growing it successfully

1. Be careful not to overwater your Coffee Plant. Always check the soil before watering, and water only when half of the topsoil has dried.
2. Find a spot with filtered sunlight. Coffea Plants prefer bright, indirect light to thrive, so be sure to place them near a window that receives plenty of natural light.
3. Keep your plant away from strong sunlight, which could damage its leaves. A gentle touch of morning or evening sun is okay for it.
4. Make sure to use soil that drains well. This helps avoid trapped water and keeps your Coffee Plant roots healthy and rot-free.
5. High humidity is important. Coffea Arabica plants prefer a humid environment, so consider using a humidifier or placing a water tray near the plant.
6. Fertilise regularly. During spring to summer, try to feed it every 2 to 4 weeks with some extra nutrition to help it grow strong and healthy.
7. If your Coffee plant is getting too tall or leggy, it's time to give it a little trim. You can shape it into a more desirable shape or remove any leggy growth and damaged leaves. This will help it grow bushier and healthier!
8. Keep an eye out for pests. Common pests include spider mites and mealybugs, so inspect your plant regularly and treat any infestations promptly.
9. Repot your Coffee Plant when it's rootbound. They generally need a new pot and soil every 1-3 years to keep them happy and thriving.
10. The cooler period during winter months promotes bloom bud development. It's a good idea to keep your plant in a spot with temperatures between 15-18°C during this time.

Coffea Arabica Plant care tips

Taking care of a Coffee plant is super easy. Under the right circumstances, a Coffee plant will eventually produce small white flowers. It can take up to five years, so a good test for your patience! Did you know you can even grow your own Coffee beans from this cute houseplant? However, it's not easy - you'll need to pollinate the plant by hand, so don't get your hopes up for a big harvest. Luckily, you'll still get lots of lovely, shiny green leaves to brighten up your space!

Coffea Arabica light requirements

The best spot for your Coffea Plant is a spot that has bright, indirect light. A spot near windows with filtered natural light is perfect. Just remember that direct sunlight can be harmful to your plant. If you see some brown spots on the leaves, it can be a sign that your plant is getting too much sun. Sunburn on plants is a real thing! If a Coffea Arabica plant is not receiving enough light, it may become leggy, with long stems and sparse foliage. Over time, the plant may become weaker and more susceptible to disease. Additionally, a lack of light can also reduce the chance of blooming.

Watering

When you water your Coffee Plant, finding the right balance is important. Evenly moist soil is the best. Just don’t let your plant's soil completely dry out or stay too wet. It may take a bit of time and practice to get the proper watering routine but don't worry. You'll get there!

Expert tip! Make sure to use room temperature water, not cold water, straight from the tap, as this can shock Coffee Plants roots.

Sticking your finger into the soil is one way to determine when it's time to water. If the soil feels dry, it's time to water. If the soil still feels moist, hold off on watering for a few more days. Alternatively, you can use a water meter. Overwatered plants may show signs of wilting or yellowing leaves, and the roots may start to smell mouldy.

Fertilisation

Your Coffea plant appreciates regular fertilising throughout the growing season from March to October. You can give your Coffea houseplant some PLNTS nutrition liquid food every 2-4 weeks during the spring and summer months. During fall and winter, you can hold off the fertiliser.

Temperature & humidity

Keep the temperature between 15-21°C and humidity levels around 50-70%, and your Coffee Arabica plant will feel good in your home. If the humidity is too low, the leaves might start to dry out and become brittle, making the plant more vulnerable to disease. To prevent this, consider raising air humidity around your plant.

Expert tip! It loves a humid environment, so Coffee Plant is an excellent choice for a terrarium or bathroom.

Repotting & soil

Coffea Plant will need to be repotted every 1-3 years or when it has outgrown its current pot. Choose a pot that's bigger than the last one, and make sure it has holes in the bottom for proper drainage.

To give your plant the best new start, we recommend using PLNTS organic houseplant soil. This soil is well-draining and packed with all the nutrients your Coffea Arabica needs to grow strong and beautiful!

Coffea Arabica propagation

Whoever thinks that planting a Coffee bean will give you a beautiful plant will be disappointed. Luckily, propagating a Coffea plant is super easy via stem cuttings.

Just follow these easy steps:

1. Get a sharp knife or pruning shear, a small pot and some fresh cutting soil.
2. Choose a straight and healthy stem that stands around a centimetre from the mother plant.
3. Try to detangle the roots as much as possible and then make a sharp cut to take your cutting.
4. Place it in the pot with cutting soil and give it a splash of water. To increase humidity, you can place a plastic bag over the pot: your new plant will love that!

Are you a beginning PLNTSparent who doesn’t want to take cuttings but still wants to raise their own little plant? Then our Arabica seeds or Arabica seed kit is the perfect way to start! With these seeds, you will learn how to grow your own Coffea plant in no time.

Most common pests on Coffea

Coffea plants will sometimes suffer from infestations of mealybugs, aphids and spider mites. Check your plant regularly so you can notice changes in your plant's health as soon as possible. Signs of an infestation include tiny webs, white powdery spots or even visible insects!

Want to know exactly what to do when your plant is suffering from a plague? Consult our PLNTS Doctor page!

Is Coffea poisonous for your pets or children?

Coffea Plants are poisonous to humans and four-legged friends. All parts, except the fruit and its seed that are processed into Coffee beans, are toxic to humans, cats and dogs and cause vomiting and diarrhea.

Buy Coffea Arabica online at PLNTS.com

At PLNTS.com you can buy Coffea plants online, like the Baby Coffea Arabica or grown-up Coffea Arabica. Besides these plants, you can also get the Coffea seeds.

Whether you like your Coffea big from the start or prefer to grow them from tiny BabyPLNTS into full-grown PLNTS - Buy Coffea Arabica online at PLNTS.com