Arabica Coffee

July 23, 2026

Quick Overview

🌞 LIGHT: Bright, indirect light (can tolerate some gentle morning sun).
💧 WATERING: Water when the top 1–2 inches (25–50%) of soil is dry; needs consistently moist soil without being waterlogged.
🌡️ TEMPERATURE & HUMIDITY: 65–80°F (18–27°C) & 50%+ humidity required.
🌱 SOIL: Well-draining, peat-rich, slightly acidic potting mix with a drainage hole.
❗ SAFETY NOTE: Toxic to pets and humans if ingested (contains caffeine). Keep out of reach.

Tolerates: Dappled direct morning light.
Avoid: Harsh, direct afternoon sun—it can quickly scorch and burn the glossy foliage.
Pro Tip: If growth becomes sparse, leggy, or dull green, the plant isn't receiving enough light. Rotate the pot weekly for uniform, bushy leaf density.

Frequency: Typically every 7–10 days during active spring and summer growth.
Avoid: Allowing the soil to dry out completely. Coffee plants wilt dramatically when thirsty, which causes lower leaves to crisp and drop. Never leave the pot in standing water, as excess moisture leads to root rot.
Quality Tip: Sensitive to harsh minerals and chlorinated tap water. Use room-temperature, filtered, or distilled water to avoid brown, crunchy leaf tips.

Draft Sensitivity: Keep clear of cold drafts, exterior doorways, and direct blasts from heating or air conditioning vents. Temperatures below 55°F (13°C) will stunt growth and damage foliage.
Humidity Boosts: High ambient humidity maintains dark, glossy leaves. Group with other tropical plants, place on a pebble tray with water, or run a humidifier nearby.

Soil Mix: Prefers a slightly acidic, airy mix with good moisture retention and excellent drainage. Combine 2 parts peat moss or coco coir, 1 part perlite, and 1 part orchid bark.
Repotting: Repot every 1–2 years in spring. Young nursery pots often contain multiple seedlings grown closely together; repotting into a container 2 inches larger gives individual stems room to expand.

Routine: Feed every 2–4 weeks from spring through early autumn using a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer formulated for acid-loving or standard tropical houseplants at half-strength.
Rest Period: Pause fertilization entirely during late autumn and winter when growth naturally slows.

Pruning: Pinch back growing tips in spring to encourage branch division and bushier growth. Remove dead or yellowing lower leaves near the main stem with clean shears.
Cleaning: Gently wipe the glossy leaves with a damp cloth to clear dust buildup and maximize light absorption.

Stem Cuttings:
1. Cut a 4–6 inch healthy, non-woody tip cutting in spring or early summer, ensuring it has at least 2 leaf nodes.
2. Dip the cut end in rooting hormone and insert into a moist mixture of perlite and peat moss.
3. Cover with a plastic humidity dome, keep warm, and place in bright, indirect light. Roots typically take 4–6 weeks to form.
Seeds: Fresh coffee cherries/beans can be harvested and germinated in warm, moist soil, though growth takes several months.

Problem / Pest	Visual Symptoms	Solution
Root Rot	Soft or drooping leaves, stem soft at soil line, black roots.	Unpot, trim mushy roots, and repot in fresh, dry, airy soil. Reduce watering frequency.
Spider Mites	Fine webbing on stem joints and leaf undersides, pale speckled leaves.	Isolate plant, rinse foliage under warm running water, and spray thoroughly with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil.
Mealybugs & Scale	White cottony specks or waxy brown bumps on stems and leaf undersides.	Wipe pests away with a damp cloth or cotton pad, then treat the plant with mild soapy water or insecticidal soap.
Brown Crispy Leaf Edges	Crunchy brown leaf margins or tip browning.	Caused by low humidity, severe underwatering, or hard tap water minerals. Increase humidity and switch to filtered water.
Severe Leaf Droop	Whole plant wilting and limp foliage.	Classic sign of underwatering. Give the pot a thorough soak until water drains from the bottom.