The genus of plant known for producing the coffee bean, Coffee (Coffea) are native to Asia and Southern Africa. As the seeds of some species produce coffee, those species of coffee are a sought-after commodity. These plants produce red-purple fruits called pea berries, which is also where the coffee beans can be found. Most coffee is made from Coffea Arabica or Coffea Canephora, with Coffea Arabica being the only species in the genus considered a viable option for growth as a houseplant.
Coffee Plant
Botanical Name: Coffea Arabica
Coffea Arabica plant grows to up to 39 feet in the wild but will not grow to more than six feet as a houseplant. Owners should buy Coffea Arabica plants rather than attempting to plant the beans themselves, as they may end up with a plant which grows to 39 feet or which does not grow at all. The Coffea Arabica has slightly scalloped oblong leaves in a dark green hue, and will bloom with delicate white flowers. The fruit of the Coffea Arabica, called a ‘cherry’, can contain up to two coffee beans. Indoor Coffea Arabica plants are not known for producing enough beans for an owner to regularly brew homegrown coffee, but they are very pretty plants in their own right.
Coffea Arabica plants should not be kept in soils which hold moisture, and pots should have drainage holes.
In summer, Coffea Arabica should be kept in relative shade and fertilised monthly. Coffea Arabica plants enjoy a great deal of heat, and prospective owners who live in cooler climates should expect temperature maintenance to take up a considerable amount of time. It takes around four years for a Coffea Arabica cherry to start producing beans, so owners should not expect to make a fortune in coffee sales.
Plant Care
Prime place in your window. It is ready to take on full light!
Moist but not soggy, and always water from the bottom. Those roots are like straws
Potting soil with good drainage
You may be able to produce their berries to extract the beans, but this plant has toxins in its bark & foliage, so handle with care
If you hand pollinate them, they will produce the berries that contain coffee beans