How to care for: Coffee plants

Coffee plant or as it is officially called the Coffea Arabica. You recognize the Coffea Arabica by its shiny leaf. The nice thing is that even in your living room the coffee plant can grow coffee beans. It'll take a few years for your coffee plant to grow some beans, and it probably won't produce enough for you to drink on a daily basis; however, it can grow a few beans which you can use a few times a month. The foliage is beautiful with dark green leaves with a glossy texture and makes for an excellent home decoration ornament.

Medium light

Water once a week

Toxic

Air-purifying

How do you take care of a Coffee plant?

Location

The Coffee plant likes to be placed in a spot with lots of light. It is best to place the plant in medium bright light. The Coffee plant prefers a spot next to a window on the west or east. A spot near the south is of course also possible. Make sure that the plant is at least 2 metres away from the window. A spot near the north probably has too little light.

Watering

If a Coffee plant gets too little water, the leaf will hang limp. It is therefore important to always keep the soil of the Coffee plant slightly moist. You can check this with your finger in the soil. Never let the Coffee plant dry out completely. Not even in winter! It is best to water the Coffee plant once a week all year round. In the winter it may be a smaller amount. Give small amounts of water, rather than a big splash at a time. The Coffee plant can’t completely absorb that big shoot within one week. This can cause the Coffee plant to store the excess water in the roots. The plant can then suffer from root rot.

Plant nutrition

You can provide new nutrients by plant nutrition. We recommend giving plant nutrition once every two weeks. From spring until autumn. After autumn and in winter it is better not to give extra nutrients. In the autumn, plant nutrition can actually be harmful for the Coffee plant!

Repotting

Repotting the Coffee plant is necessary every 1 to 2 years. The plant is a fast grower, so its roots soon become too tight in the pot. Repotting the plant every 1 to 2 years gives it new nutrients and more room for root growth. The airier soil is also very good for the water flowing through. The best period to repot is spring.

Temperature

The Coffee plant thrives in warm and tropical climates. The ideal temperature range for optimal growth and production of coffee beans is typically between 15 to 24 degrees Celsius. However, coffee plants can tolerate temperatures outside of this range to some extent.

Pruning

Pruning is effective for a coffee plant to remove dead, damaged or diseased branches of the coffee plant. This helps maintain the health of the plant and prevents the spread of diseases.

How big can a coffee plant get?

Coffee plants remain small. Indoors, most coffee plants grow about 100 cm.

There are also coffee plant species that can grow to 2 metres as house plants, but this is certainly not the standard.

In de natuur kunnen sommige koffieplant soorten zelfs 10 tot 15 meter worden!

How long does it take for a coffee plant to grow beans?

After about three years, the coffee plant can flower and produce beans. Please note! You can't consume these beans.

Can a coffee plant be placed outside?

Yes, this is possible. It is important, however, that you let the coffee plant acclimatise outside. Coffee plants can easily be affected by temperature fluctuations. The difference in lighting (intensity) can also burn the leaves. Therefore don't place the coffee plant outside without preparation.