Coffee Plant
Coffea arabica
The coffee plant is an evergreen shrub with glossy, dark green leaves, fragrant white flowers and red berries containing coffee beans. It grows outdoors in frost-free uplands and makes an attractive houseplant elsewhere.
Photo: Marcelo Corrêa · CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Essential Care Requirements
Light
Bright indirect light, Partial sun
Watering
Moderate
Keep the soil evenly moist but never soggy.
Soil
Rich, slightly acidic, well-drained soil; pH 5.5–6.5.
Temperature and humidity
10–30 °C · High humidity
Feeding
Feed monthly in spring and summer with a balanced fertilizer.
Pruning and propagation
Propagate by seed, stem cuttings
Pinch the top to keep it bushy indoors.
The leaves and unripe berries contain caffeine, which is harmful to cats and dogs.
Top Cultivation Tips
Indoor plants may flower after 3–4 years.
Keep away from direct afternoon sun.
Brown leaf edges mean dry air.
Hand-pollination is not needed; it is self-fertile.
Common problems
Mealybugs
White, cottony insects that hide in leaf joints and under leaves, weakening plants and spreading easily to neighbours.
How to treat it →DiseaseRust
A fungal disease that forms orange, brown or yellow powdery pustules, mainly on leaf undersides.
How to treat it →PestScale insects
Immobile, shell-covered insects that cling to stems and leaves, draining sap and weakening trees and houseplants.
How to treat it →PestSpider mites
Tiny sap-sucking mites that thrive in hot, dry conditions, causing speckled, dull leaves and fine webbing.
How to treat it →
