About
Coffea arabica is a perennial shrub or small tree that can reach heights of up to 8 meters. Its leaves are arranged in opposite pairs, featuring a glossy, deep green appearance. After about four years of growth, the plant produces small, fragrant white flowers in the leaf axils during the summer months. Following the flowering period, green fruits develop, maturing over several months into red berries often referred to as "cherries." Each cherry contains two seeds, known as coffee beans. Under optimal growing conditions, it is feasible to collect enough beans for brewing a cup of home-grown coffee.
About the genus
Coffea is a genus composed of flowering shrubs and small trees found in tropical and southern Africa as well as tropical Asia. Certain species produce seeds commonly referred to as coffee beans, and the plants bear white, fragrant flowers.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Partial shade
- Soil type
- Loam
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H1A
Plant details
- Plant type
- Shrubs, Trees
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 4-8 metres
- Spread
- 2.5-4 metres
- Time to full height
- 5-10 years
- Suggested uses
- Houseplants
- Native to
- NE trop. Africa
- Fragrance
- Flower
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Under glass grow in peat-free. loam-based potting compost with added extra organic matter. Provide moderate to high humidity and protect from draughts. Water freely during the growing season and apply a balanced liquid feed every two weeks; water moderately in winter. Repot every 2-3 years in spring
- Pruning
- May require restrictive pruning under glass
- Propagation
- Propagate by sowing fresh seed. Germination may be erratic
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite
- Disease resistance
- High Risk Host for Xylella fastidiosa