Growing a Coffee Plant

The coffee plant (Coffea arabica) produces small, fragrant flowers and clusters of berries that ripen to yellow, orange, red, or black. The berries, also known as “coffee cherries,” contain the coffee beans that are used to make caffeinated drinks. The plants are evergreen shrubs or small trees, and are native to Africa and southern Asia. There are dozens of species in the genus Coffea, but only a few have been cultivated to produce coffee for human consumption. The most commonly cultivated variety is C. arabica, which is cultivated around the world to make caffeinated drinks such as espresso and cappuccino. The other common species is C. canephora, which is called robusta and has a stronger flavor than arabica.

Growing a coffee plant is a simple matter of providing the right conditions. Coffee plants grow best in warm, brightly lit rooms with high humidity levels. They like regular applications of a balanced fertilizer to keep the leaves lush and green. But be careful not to over-fertilize the plant, because too much will cause foliage burn and can lead to a fungus that attacks the leaves.

Soil should be rich in organic material, such as compost or manure, and have a low pH (acidic). Planting containers don’t really matter, but the container must have drainage holes. A potting mix with water-retaining elements such as vermiculite, sphagnum moss, or coco coir is ideal. Repot the plant each spring, gradually stepping up the pot size as it grows.