Growing your own coffee is a dream for a patient few, but the coffee plant is far more than a curiosity: its dense, glossy foliage makes it one of the handsomest tropical houseplants.
Origin and natural habitat
Coffea arabica originates from the mountain forests of Ethiopia, where it still grows wild at 1,000–2,000 metres. Coffee's journey from the Ethiopian highlands to world trade is one of history's greatest botanical journeys.
Care
Light
Bright indirect light with some morning sun if possible. In nature coffee grows as understory — it cannot take scorching midday sun but needs light to flower.
Watering
Keep the soil evenly lightly moist; the coffee plant wilts promptly when dry but recovers quickly. Prefer filtered or rested water — it dislikes chalk.
Soil and feeding
Airy, acidic soil, ideally ericaceous mix with perlite. Feed fortnightly in summer. Prune in spring for a bushier shape.
Common problems
Brown leaf edges usually come from chalky water or dry air. Wilting leaves mean thirst — water at once. No flowering is common indoors and requires light, maturity and patience.
Good to know
A coffee plant can live for decades and, given ideal conditions, bears jasmine-scented white flowers. Note: the beans are unpleasant for pets.
