The coffee plant, with its beautiful, glossy, green leaves and compact growth habit, makes it perfect to grow indoors. It blooms with elegant, white flowers in the spring, followed by half-inch fruits known as cherries. The fruit darkens over time (green to blackish pods), which contain two acidic-tasting beans, popularly known as coffee beans.
When grown in the wild, coffee plants can reach two feet in just one year. However, indoors, the plant can be pruned and shaped to make it look more groomed and tidy. Also, coffee trees are easy to take care of, but if you are a beginner and want a "coffee tree care guide," read the blog till the end.
About Coffee Plant: What Do You Need to Know?
The coffee plant is a flowering shrub that is native to the Ethiopian highlands. It is considered one of the best houseplants because of its white, attractive flowers and berries that contain coffee beans. When grown outdoors, it can grow quite large, and after 3-5 years, the coffee tree starts bearing fruit.
Fact: Though coffee is native to Ethiopia, the name Coffea Arabica suggests that it comes from Arabs. This is true because coffee became popular among Arabs. The city of Mocha in Yemen was one of the major ports of coffee trading in antiquity. Hence, the term "mocha" became popular.
But coffee is, nowadays, grown all over the world, especially in Brazil and the island of Java, hence the name "Java."
How to Care for Your Coffee Tree?
Though a coffee tree does not require an intense care routine, it needs some attention to ensure it grows healthy and stays green and shiny throughout the growing season. Here are some common yet important tips that you should know when growing a coffee tree at home.
Light
The coffee tree needs bright, but indirect sunlight. So, consider putting them in the east or west-facing window side, where they receive adequate sunlight. However, if you don't have a window, then use a growing light. The balance in lighting is important because putting them in direct sunlight can scorch the leaves, and a lack of light can make them leggy and weak, and leaves may droop.
Soil
To ensure the coffee tree grows well, you need rich, peat-based, and well-draining soil. Coffee trees thrive in acidic soil, mixed with compost or worm castings. You can add organic matter to the soil if the tree isn't growing well to lower the pH of the soil. Remember to repot the coffee plant every 1-2 years to ensure it gets enough space to grow.
Water
Coffee trees require frequent watering, which means the soil needs to stay moist without waterlogging. This is because standing water can cause the root to rot. Hence, it is advised to use a well-draining soil and pot, and remember, only water when the top layer of the soil is completely dry.
Temperature and Humidity
The best temperature to grow a coffee plant is 65°F to 70°F at night and 70°F to 80°F during the day. Warmer temperatures are best to keep the leaves growing, but not helpful if you want to grow beans as well.
As for the humidity, coffee trees thrive in high humidity (50% or greater). But it also grows well in normal indoor household humidity of 30% or above. If you see the leaves are browning or getting crispy, know that the air is getting dry. To increase the humidity indoors, you can use a humidifier.
Fertilizer
During spring and summer, feed the plant with liquid fertilizer every couple of weeks. However, it is important to make sure that they are diluted to half strength. However, during the winter, cut off the feeding to once a month.
Coffee Tree Care Tips: At a Glance
Coffee trees thrive in tropical, mid-elevation mountainside regions. Hence, it is advised to maintain the ideal condition so that your coffee tree, whether grown indoors or outdoors, stays healthy and green.
Here are some important tips to keep in mind when growing a coffee tree -
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Maintain the room temperature between 65°F and 80°F.
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Use diluted fertilizer during summer and spring.
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Prune the plant during spring to encourage dense and proper growth.
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For soil, consider using rich, peat-based, slightly acidic soil mixed with organic matter for potting.
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Place the tree near the window, where it receives indirect sunlight, as direct light can burn the leaves.
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Water the plant as and when required and make sure the soil stays moist (neither too wet, nor too dry).
What Are the Types of Coffee Plants?
Though Coffee Arabica is the most popular, there are several other types of coffee that are noteworthy, such as -
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C. Arabica "Nana": These are dwarf coffee plant varieties that grow only about 12 inches tall, and are perfect for indoor growing.
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C. Canephora: Commonly known as Robusta coffee, this plant comes from sub-Saharan Africa. The name justifies the taste as they are stronger than Arabica beans.
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C. Liberica: This is native to central and western Africa, and was first discovered in Liberia. The fruit this tree produces is large in size and has higher caffeine content than arabica, but lower than robusta.
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C. Charrieriana: This coffee plant produces a caffeine-free variety of coffee beans.
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C. Magnistipula: This is native to the lower Guinean forests of tropical West Africa, and grows in a shrub-like shape.
How to Prune and Propagate Coffee Trees?
Here's how to prune and propagate coffee trees at home -
Pruning
Pruning should be a part of a regular routine, as it helps the coffee tree to grow evenly. The best time to prune the tree is in early spring. For pruning, use sharp, sterilized shears to get rid of any old, dead, and bare branches, which makes it look untidy and unappealing. Also, consider removing leaves growing from the lower part of the trunk.
| Notes | Cut the stems at a 45° angle, about 1/4 inch above a leaf joint for dense and bushy growth. |
Propagation
If you want to propagate a coffee plant, use stem cuttings, and the best time to propagate is in the early summer. Here's how to propagate a coffee tree using stem cuttings -
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Use sterile pruners or shears to cut the stem to 8-10 inches and remove the lower leaves, and a pair of upper leaves.
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Dip the cut stem in the rooting hormone.
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Next, plant the cutting in a pot filled with damp potting soil (4 inches of soil is enough). Ensure the stem is placed deep into the soil.
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Cover the cutting with a clear plastic sheet or bag, and place it in a warm location. Keep it away from bright and direct sunlight, and ensure the soil is moist, not soggy or waterlogged.
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Once you see the root formation, relocate the plant into the bright and indirect light and remove the plastic.
How to Pot and Repot the Coffee Tree?
When you see the roots are outgrowing the pot and coming out of the drainage hole, it is time to repot the tree. Choose a pot larger than the current one, and make sure it has a drainage hole that is 2 diameters bigger.
The best time to repot the coffee plant is in late winter when the new growth starts. You can do this whenever you see the root outgrow the pot, and ensure to use fresh potting soil every time.
Common Problems in Coffee Trees You Should Be Aware of
When growing plants indoors, you should be aware of pest infestations and other common plant problems.
Pest Infestation
These plants are usually affected by aphids, mealybugs, and mites, and the signs of infestation include -
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Tiny webs under the leaves or at the side of the stem.
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Clumps of white powdery residue.
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Visible insects on the plant.
These infestations shouldn't be ignored, or your plant will suffer. So, treat them with organic pesticides, such as neem oil or insecticidal soap. This prevents them from spreading and damaging the plant.
Brown Spots
The coffee plant leaves and stems are also prone to brown spots, which are fungal infections that eat up the plant. To prevent this from happening, remove the infected leaves and stems. Also, trim the inner branches to ensure better air circulation, which helps keep infections and diseases at bay.
Leaf Browning
Leaves turn brown and fall off, and this usually happens when you put them under scorching light. To fix this, all you need to do is put the plant in the region that gets indirect light. Sometimes, too much watering or root rot can also cause browning of leaves. So, when you water it, make sure the top soil is completely dry, and the water is not logging.
Yellow Leaves
If the leaves of the coffee plant are turning yellow, this means the plant is being overwatered. Coffee plants thrive in moist soil, not in standing water. So, allow the soil to dry properly before watering it again. Even after doing so, the leaves do not stop yellowing, dig up the soil, and check the roots. If you find rotting roots, take necessary and corrective actions.
