How to Grow and Care for a Coffee Plant
Introduction
Coffee plants are beautiful shrubs with glossy green leaves and fragrant white flowers. They can be grown indoors or in a greenhouse, and with the right care, they can even produce enough coffee beans for an espresso!
Growing Conditions
Coffee plants need a warm spot with bright, indirect light. They prefer temperatures between 16-24 degrees Celsius (60-75 degrees Fahrenheit). Water regularly, keeping the soil moist but not soggy. Feed every two weeks during the growing season with a liquid fertilizer.
Planting and Repotting
Coffee plants should be repotted every two to three years. The best time to do this is in the spring. Use a loam-based, peat-free compost.
Care
- Watering: Water regularly, keeping the soil moist but not soggy. Reduce watering during the winter when the plant is dormant.
- Fertilizing: Feed every two weeks during the growing season with a liquid fertilizer.
- Humidity: Coffee plants prefer high humidity. You can increase humidity by placing the plant on a tray of pebbles filled with water and misting the leaves regularly.
Harvesting Coffee Beans
Once your coffee plant is mature (after about four years), it may produce green fruits that ripen and turn red, then almost black. Inside each fruit are two seeds, which are the coffee beans.
To harvest the coffee beans:
- Pick the ripe fruits from the plant.
- Remove the beans from the fruits and rinse them with water.
- Dry the beans in the sun or in a food dehydrator.
- Roast the beans in a pan or in a coffee roaster.
Troubleshooting
- Pests: Coffee plants can be affected by red spider mites and other pests. Treat infestations with water sprays or biological controls.
- Diseases: Coffee plants are high risk for carrying a bacterium called Xyella. Source your plant from a reputable nursery and check that your plant is UK grown.
Conclusion
Growing and caring for a coffee plant is a fun and rewarding experience. With the right care, you can enjoy delicious, homegrown coffee for years to come!
