Arabica coffee: caring for the indoor plant at home

Flowers

Many amateur gardeners dream of having a coffee plant in their collection. Some believe that cultivating it is only for professionals. However, this is a misconception. Arabica coffee is a houseplant that can easily be grown on a windowsill at home, provided it is properly cared for.

Arabica coffee is a perennial shrub or small tree of the Rubiaceae genus. Native to Africa and Asia, it is now grown in many countries around the world.

The flower is distinguished by its dense, bright green, glossy foliage. The leaf blades are pointed at the tips, with well-defined veins. The branches are slender, thin, and yet very flexible. They can reach a height of 15 cm.

But the coffee plant is most beloved for its flowers, which resemble small stars, very reminiscent of jasmine. These white petals, with an incredibly pleasant aroma, can be seen in the spring when the buds open.

They bloom for only a couple of days. Six months later, red or black fruits appear in their place. They resemble cherries in shape, but are oblong. Each "cherry" contains two coffee beans. These are what delight coffee lovers in the morning.

Caring for Arabica coffee flowers at home

Caring for a coffee plant at home involves maintaining the correct temperature, proper watering, and the right levels of light and humidity. It's also important to regularly feed the plant and keep it pest-free.

Location and lighting

An African guest will appreciate a brightly lit side of the apartment, but away from direct sunlight. An east- or west-facing window is ideal. During warmer months, the coffee plant can be moved to the balcony, protected from the sun and precipitation.

Please note!

However, experts recommend not disturbing the plant unless absolutely necessary. It doesn't like being moved, and unnecessary rearrangement can affect fruit production.

For the same reason, you shouldn't prune the plant. And one more secret: coffee is a solitary plant. It doesn't like neighbors. Therefore, it's worth setting aside a separate windowsill for it.

Temperature

In winter, it's important to monitor the air temperature. It shouldn't drop below 15°C. Coffee doesn't like cold temperatures. Drafts and sudden temperature changes, as well as excessively dry air, are detrimental to the plant. All of these factors can kill the plant.

Watering and humidity

High humidity is not recommended for the plant. It can attract various pests, which creates a favorable environment for them. Very dry air is also dangerous. Humidity should not fall below 40%. Misting the plant is only necessary if it's very hot and taking it to the balcony is not possible. In winter and during hot weather, electric humidifiers can be used. The main sign of dry indoor air is yellowed tips of coffee leaves.

Arabica coffee is also fussy about watering. Don't use tap water, as it contains a lot of chlorine, lime, and other impurities that can harm the roots. It's best to use settled water. To make the water beneficial, you can add a few drops of lemon juice or vinegar. This helps maintain the proper acidity of the soil. Avoid overwatering, as the plant doesn't like it.

It's crucial to monitor the soil. If it's too wet, the plant will wilt and begin to shed its leaves. Excessive dryness is also detrimental to coffee. Therefore, it's best to water the plant sparingly but frequently.

Top dressing

Fertilizing plays a crucial role in proper coffee care. It's essential for the plant to grow strong and healthy. Experts recommend using liquid mineral fertilizers containing phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen. These can also be replaced with natural bone meal or horn shavings at a ratio of 200 g per 10 kg of soil.

It's best to feed coffee plants during the active growth period, at least once every six weeks. This should also be done at different stages of their development. For example, when buds appear, they require a large amount of nitrogen and phosphorus, which are necessary for fruit ripening. During flowering, a mineral complex is best. It's a good idea to test the soil pH to ensure the correct nutritional requirements. This can be done at a flower shop.

Diseases and pests

Like any other plant, coffee can be attacked by pests and diseases. A monthly warm shower is very beneficial for the plant. This should be done carefully, being careful not to let water get into the pot. This will not only make the leaves shiny and beautiful but also help prevent spider mites, the main pest that can appear on plants. The main signs of spider mites are small webs and light spots on the leaves.

Scale insects and aphids often damage the plant. To combat these pests, first treat the damaged leaves with a soapy solution, then use store-bought products. The most popular are "Karbofos" or "Aktellik" 0.15%. They are diluted at a ratio of 10 drops per half a liter of water. More than one spraying may be necessary, spaced several days apart. Regular alcohol will also help get rid of aphids.

Fungus can destroy the plant. It's easily recognized by its rust-like, reddish spots. Getting rid of it is quite difficult. Bordeaux mixture, copper sulfate, or antifungal products for indoor plants can help. However, use these only after reading the instructions.

Propagation and transplantation of Arabica coffee flowers at home

Coffee trees can be propagated in two ways: by seeds and cuttings. Propagation can be done at any time of year.

Seeds

Seeds can be planted immediately after the harvest. They are peeled and placed in the soil to a depth of 0.5 cm to 1 cm. It's best to plant them with the convex side facing up. This will allow the seeds to sprout faster. Experts also recommend soaking the seeds in a weak solution of potassium permanganate before planting and then watering the soil with the same solution.

Careful consideration should be given to choosing the soil for planting. It should be loose, permeable, and composed of leaf mold and washed river sand. Experts recommend sterilizing the substrate by holding it over a pot of boiling water for several minutes, covered with a lid.

Note!

Another important point: most likely, the planting material sold in the store is no longer of very good quality, so to ensure fresh seeds, it is best to buy them from someone who is already growing this plant at home.

Once all the seeds are in the soil, cover them with a jar and leave them in a warm place for a month to a month and a half. During this time, the first shoots should appear. However, they can be planted only after the leaves appear.

Cuttings

It's much easier to propagate coffee from cuttings. Carefully cut off the semi-woody part of the plant and place it in water to root, covered with a plastic bag. It's crucial that the cutting root well.

There's another method. Cuttings can be purchased at specialty stores and soaked in a special solution purchased there just before planting. This can be a heteroauxin solution (1 tablet per liter). After three hours, the prepared cuttings are planted in their permanent location: in azalea soil. Some experts recommend planting coffee plants in soil suitable for lemons.

Some also believe that a mixture of peat and sand, taken in equal proportions, is suitable for propagating coffee from cuttings. Roots will form within two months. A plant propagated by cuttings will bear fruit the following year, but its growth and development will be slower. Proper soil selection is crucial, so this matter must be approached with great care.

Transfer

A crucial step in coffee care is repotting. Young trees (up to 3 years old) are repotted annually, and then as needed. This is a very important and crucial task, and it must be handled with great care. The plant's root system is very fragile and can easily be damaged.

The roots can be long and tangled. Therefore, remove the plant from the pot carefully. There's no need to rinse the root system; just remove any excess soil. After repotting, water the plant and observe its condition for a few days.

The key to replanting is choosing the right soil. It should be slightly acidic. For example, this: 40% turf soil, 30% leaf mold, 20% river sand, and 10% peat – ideal for Arabica coffee.

Frequently asked questions about growing

When does coffee begin to bear fruit?

The fruiting of a coffee tree depends on its planting. If grown from seed, fruit can be expected in 3-5 years, but propagated by cuttings, a harvest can be obtained as early as the second or third year, and sometimes even in the first.

How to form a proportional crown?

In the second year of a "seed" plant's life, skeletal branches appear, and as the trunk grows, lateral branches also form. These branches should be pinched as they grow. Dead branches should also be removed. The plant should not be pruned until it begins to bear fruit.

A coffee tree grown from cuttings is formed into a bush and grows at a low height. It's a good idea to tie the top shoot to a support to prevent it from drooping and to encourage it to grow taller. Once the plant grows, the support is removed. This is the key to creating a crown in this case.

Why do coffee leaves dry out?

Drying coffee leaves indicate that the plant is not growing in suitable conditions. The main causes are air that is too dry, too hot, too much moisture, or, conversely, too little. It may not be getting enough light. For the plant to thrive, it needs to change its environment.

Which side is good for coffee?

Coffee thrives in a bright, sunny room, but avoid direct sunlight. This flower thrives in a west or east exposure.

Arabica coffee is an exotic plant, but with proper care and comfortable conditions, it will not only decorate the home but also reward the gardener with beautiful flowers and fruit. And what a joy it is to enjoy a drink made from your own coffee beans.