Coffee Plants for Sale - Buying & Growing Guide

Planting instructions

Coffee plants can grow outdoors in zones 9 through 11. In colder regions, you can plant this species in a container and grow it in an indoor setting. If you do, find an area that receives filtered or indirect light. Coffee plants also enjoy a warm environment. So whether you grow one inside or outside, make sure it is in a location that is consistently above 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Additional humidity in the form of misting can also help this plant.

Watering and nutrients

Coffee plants need more water than most plants. Keep their soil moist, but not wet, at all times. Weekly waterings will often do the trick. But remember that this plant grows all year long, so you’ll need to keep up with watering during all seasons. Fertilize your coffee plant about three to five times per year. When you do, use a fertilizer that has a lot of nitrogen. Interestingly, coffee grounds make an ideal fertilizer for this plant.

Pollination

Unlike other popular coffee plant varieties, Coffea arabica is a self-fertile plant. When it grows outdoors, this species does not need any assistance from pollinator species like bees. Instead, the coffee plant spreads its pollen via the wind. When you grow a coffee plant indoors, the chances are that you’ll need to aid in the pollination process. Using hand pollination is a great way to take care of the job that the wind would do in a natural setting.

Pests, diseases, and animals

The caffeine that is present in the leaves of a coffee plant often does a fantastic job of discouraging insects from feeding on them. However, that does not mean that this plant is entirely pest and disease-free. Coffee plants can have fungal and bacterial infections. They can also experience infestations, including coffee berry borer. Nematodes, mealybugs, and coffee leaf miners can also arrive. In some cases, despite loving moist soil, coffee plants can also experience root rot.

Harvesting

It can take as long as four years before your coffee plant is ready to harvest. When it reaches that age, it will begin to form flowers that eventually develop into coffee cherries. These cherries start out green and then transition to yellow and finally red. That red color signifies that your coffee plant is ready for harvest. At that time, you can pick the cherries off the plant by hand. Then open them to reveal the two coffee beans that each fruit contains.

Achieving maximum results

Before growing a coffee plant indoors, know that this plant is toxic to nearly all common household pets. In indoor settings, you can also expect a smaller harvest. At times, a coffee plant that grows inside may not produce enough beans for you to make a cup of coffee. The key to encouraging fruit production is to give this plant the best possible conditions. Keep its soil moist and locate this plant where it won’t get too cold. Extra humidity and regular fertilization will also help.

Compare Similar Products

Customer Reviews