The Coffea arabica, commonly known as the Coffee Plant, Arabian Coffee Plant or Arabica Coffee, is a striking tropical evergreen shrub prized for its glossy, deep green foliage and elegant, upright growth habit. Native to the highland tropical forests of Ethiopia, this distinctive houseplant brings a lush touch of the tropics into the home and is an excellent choice for living rooms, kitchens, bedrooms, home offices, windowsills, desks, conservatories and indoor plant displays. With the right care and patience, mature plants may produce delicate, fragrant white flowers followed by decorative red coffee cherries containing real Coffea arabica beans, making it as fascinating as it is attractive.
Key Features:
- Glossy, rich dark green oval leaves with gently wavy margins
- Compact, upright and bushy evergreen growth habit
- Bright, indirect light loving and adaptable to a range of indoor environments
- Mature plants may produce fragrant white flowers and red coffee cherries
- Widely recognised as an air-purifying houseplant
- Low maintenance and suitable for beginner plant owners
- Long-lived and rewarding with the right care and conditions
- A distinctive and memorable gift for coffee lovers and plant enthusiasts
Plant Growing Conditions:
- Light: Thrives in bright, indirect light. Ideal for bright rooms, windowsills, living rooms, kitchens, offices and bedrooms. Avoid harsh or prolonged direct sunlight, which can scorch the glossy leaves.
- Watering: Keep the compost consistently moist but never waterlogged. Allow the top inch or upper layer of compost to dry slightly between waterings, and reduce watering slightly during winter. Avoid allowing the roots to remain in standing water.
- Humidity: Prefers moderate to high humidity. Mist the foliage regularly or place the pot on a pebble tray to help maintain suitable humidity, particularly in centrally heated homes.
- Soil: Use a well-draining compost mix, with perlite or grit if required, to improve aeration and help prevent root problems.
- Temperature: Prefers warm indoor temperatures of approximately 16–24°C. Keep away from cold draughts, frost and temperatures below 10°C.
- Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertiliser every 2–4 weeks during the growing season from spring to summer.
- Repotting: Repot approximately every 1–2 years, or when roots begin to fill the container, moving to the next pot size up with fresh, well-draining compost.
Cultural Information:
- Botanical Name: Coffea arabica
- Common Names: Coffee Plant, Arabian Coffee Plant, Arabian Coffee, Arabica Coffee, Coffee Tree
- Classification: Tender Tropical Evergreen Shrub
- Origin: Highland Tropical Forests of Ethiopia
- Fully Grown Height & Spread: Approximately 100–200 cm × 60–120 cm indoors, depending on growing conditions, variety and pruning
- Growth Habit: Upright, compact and bushy evergreen shrub
- Perfect for: Living rooms, kitchens, bedrooms, home offices, windowsills, desks, conservatories and indoor plant displays
- Flowering Time: Spring to summer on mature plants, producing small, fragrant white flowers with a jasmine-like scent
- Fruiting Season: Follows flowering, with red coffee cherries ripening gradually over several months and potentially appearing in autumn to winter under suitable conditions
- Planting Position: Bright indirect light; avoid harsh direct sunlight
- Type: Tender Tropical Evergreen Houseplant, grown indoors in the UK
- Foliage: Glossy, deep green, oval to lance-shaped leaves with gently wavy margins
- Air Purifying: Widely recognised for air-purifying qualities and helping to improve the indoor atmosphere
- Pet Friendly: Considered non-toxic to pets and people
Care Tips:
- Position in bright, indirect light and avoid prolonged exposure to harsh direct sunlight.
- Keep the compost consistently moist but allow the upper layer to dry slightly between waterings.
- Always use a well-draining compost and avoid waterlogged roots.
- Maintain moderate to high humidity by misting the foliage regularly or using a pebble tray.
- Feed during spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertiliser.
- Repot every one to two years or when the roots begin to fill the container.
- Wipe the leaves occasionally to keep the glossy foliage clean and attractive.
- Monitor for common houseplant pests and address yellowing or curling leaves promptly.
Notes: Mature plants may flower and produce coffee cherries under suitable indoor conditions, although fruiting is not guaranteed. As each plant is a naturally grown living specimen, individual plants may vary slightly in size, shape and stage of growth. Pot size and quantity supplied will depend on the individual listing.