Coffee plant.

En un coup d'œil

Care level

Moderate

Plant type

Evergreen shrub

Light

Bright indirect light

Indoor light

bright-indirect

Water

Every 5 to 10 days

Mature size

150 to 300 cm

Growth rate

medium

Hardiness

USDA 10 to 11

Bloom time

Late spring to early summer

Entretien

Keep your plant in a spot with consistent, bright indirect light and avoid harsh afternoon sun. Maintain high humidity and keep the soil evenly moist but never soggy. Watch for yellowing leaves which often signal overwatering or poor drainage.

Watering

Keep the soil consistently moist but ensure the pot has excellent drainage.

Feeding

Use a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.

Pruning

Trim back long stems in early spring to encourage a bushier shape.

Repotting

Repot in spring when the roots begin to circle the bottom of the container.

Soil

Well draining acidic potting mix

Soil pH

6.0 to 6.5

Temperature

15 to 24°C

Humidity

50 to 70%

Drought tolerance

low

Lifespan

Perennial, typically 10 to 20 years in ideal conditions.

Fragrance

strong

Deer and rabbits

moderate

Sécurité

People

The plant is generally considered non-toxic, but the caffeine content in the seeds can cause jitters or digestive upset if ingested in large amounts.

Pets

The coffee plant is considered toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.

Children

Keep the plant out of reach of small children, as the berries can be a choking hazard if ingested.

Contact allergens

Some people may experience mild skin irritation from handling the raw plant foliage.

Airborne allergens

The flowers produce a sweet, fragrant scent that can be overwhelming for those sensitive to strong floral aromas.

Edibility

While the seeds are roasted for coffee, raw coffee beans contain caffeine and other compounds that can be harmful if consumed in large quantities.

Comment l'identifier

• Glossy dark green leaves
• Wavy leaf margins
• Fragrant white star shaped flowers
• Bright red oval berries

Height

1 to 3m

Spread

0.6 to 1.5m

Leaves

dark green, evergreen

Flowers

white, 1 to 2cm

Fruit

red, Autumn

Problèmes courants

• Spider mites — These tiny pests thrive in dry indoor air and cause stippling on leaves.
• Scale insects — Brown, bump-like insects that suck sap from the stems and undersides of leaves.
• Leaf spot — Fungal infections often caused by high humidity and poor air circulation.

La cultiver

Propagation

cuttings, seed

When to plant

spring

Overwintering

Bring the plant indoors before temperatures drop. Keep it away from cold drafts and heating vents to maintain humidity.

In containers

It grows well in containers and prefers a pot with excellent drainage, starting with a 6 to 8 inch size.

Group plants with similar humidity needs together to create a microclimate that keeps them all happy.

Bonnes associations

• Peace Lily — They share similar requirements for high humidity and indirect light.
• Ferns — Ferns thrive in the same moist, shaded environment as coffee plants.

À éloigner de

• Succulents — Succulents require much drier soil and higher light levels than coffee plants.

Espèces similaires

• Liberian Coffee — It is a larger species with different flavor profiles and growing habits.
• Robusta Coffee — This species is more tolerant of heat and pests than the arabica variety.

Science

Family

Rubiaceae

Genus

Coffea

Order

Gentianales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Ethiopian highlands and parts of South Sudan.

Conservation

Wild populations of Coffea arabica are currently threatened by climate change and habitat loss in their native Ethiopian forests.

It grows as an understory shrub in tropical forests, relying on dappled light and consistent moisture to survive.

Value to wildlife

nectar source

Pollinators

bees

Uses

ornamental houseplant, indoor greenery

Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.

Ce qu'on demande souvent

How often should I water my coffee plant?

Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, allowing the top inch to dry out between waterings.

Does my coffee plant need high humidity?

Yes, it loves humidity, so misting the leaves or using a pebble tray is helpful.

D'où vient le nom

The genus name Coffea is derived from the Kaffa region in Ethiopia where the plant was first discovered. The species name arabica refers to the plant's historical association with the Arabian Peninsula.

Bon à savoir

• Coffee plants produce small, white, jasmine-scented flowers.
• The fruit of the coffee plant is known as a coffee cherry.
• It takes about 3 to 4 years for a coffee plant to start producing fruit.
• Coffee plants prefer bright, indirect light to thrive indoors.