Coffea arabica (Arabian Coffee) is a tropical perennial native to Ethiopia. This species accounts for over 60% of the world’s coffee production and makes a popular indoor plant. Arabian Coffee plants can be a little bit fussy but in their natural environment can be flowering from seed in three years. The white flowers bloom in spring and summer and look and smell like Jasmine.
Coffee plants enjoy warm sub-tropical and tropical climates and a position that is part shade. In temperate climates they grow best indoors where they will receive regular sunlight.
Growth
Coffea arabica is an attractive plant with glossy dark green leaves and in ideal conditions can reach heights of up to 5 metres (15 feet). In cooler climates, they are often grown indoors in pots where they won’t flower or fruit but provide year-round foliage. Coffee plants can tolerate temperatures down to 8°C/45°F for short periods but prefer a range between 15 and 25 °C (59 and 75 °F). They prefer splintered sunlight in hot climates and are grown alongside taller trees on farms so they can be shaded. Plants exposed to too much light can develop leaf-browning.
The coffee tree will start to grow flowers in 3–5 years and the following fruit pods can take up to 9 months to fully ripen. Once established, Coffee plants can produce fruits for between 50 and 60 years.
Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.
FAMILY:
Rubiaceae
CLIMATE:
Temperate (Indoors), Sub Tropical & Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
15 to 28°C / 59 to 82°F
SOIL TYPE:
Is tolerant of most types of soil but prefers a well-draining soil.
LOCATION:
Light Sun – Part Shade
HEIGHT:
Up to 5 metres (15 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 5 metres (15 feet)
pH:
5.5-6.5
GROWTH TYPE:
Perennial.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Medium-High
POLLINATION:
Self-Pollinating.
MATURITY:
12 weeks
GERMINATION RATES:
50-65%
GERMINATION TIME:
10-12 weeks
GERMINATION DIFFICULTY:
Medium
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 3-4 seeds
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
No
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
FACTS ABOUT COFFEA ARABICA (Arabian Coffee)
Coffea arabica accounts for 60% of the world’s coffee production.
The first coffeehouse in London was opened in 1652 and eighteen years later there were 3000 across England.
An estimated 15 billion coffee trees are growing worldwide.
Coffee is a primary export for many Latin American, African, and Asian countries and their plantations directly employ around 25 million people. With an estimated 400 billion cups of coffee consumed every year, Coffee is an important source of income for businesses all over the world.
The first written record of coffee bean comes from Arab scholars, who wrote that it was useful in prolonging working hours.
All parts of the coffee plant are toxic to cats, dogs, horses, birds, and other animals. Likewise, all parts except for the mature fruit (the coffee bean) are toxic to humans. Common symptoms of coffee plant poisoning for both humans and animals include vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and lack of appetite. More severe toxicity can cause an irregular heart rate, seizures, and occasionally death.
