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Coffea arabica

Phonetic Spelling
KOFF-ee-uh a-RAB-ih-kuh
Description

The Coffee plant is a small, broadleaf evergreen shrub or small tree in the Rubiaceae family with an upright habit and typically grown in tropical climates of its native Africa. Three to four years after initial planting, small white fragrant blooms will appear from late spring to early summer. Fissured bark appears on older branches. The berries that result from the blossoms are edible with a pulpy grape-like texture, but are more likely to be harvested and processed into coffee beans.  The genus name comes from the Arabic word kahwah meaning beverage. The species name means of Arabia.

It can be grown as a houseplant in temperate climates in well-draining potting soil with bright light and high humidity. Indoor plants are usually kept at a height of 4 to 6 feet. If taken outdoors, the plant prefers some partial shade.  Plant in organically rich-well drained soil, kept consistently moist but not soggy. Plants prefer daytime temperatures of 70 to 80°F and nighttime temperatures of 60 to 65°F. and leaf drop can occur at temperatures below 55°F. Indoors or outdoors, you should fertilize during the growing season.

The Coffee plant is economically important to many tropical and subtropical counties where it is commercially grown for its seeds (coffee beans). Most coffee plantations trim the plants to 6 feet for ease of harvest. The berries are picked by hand when ripe and de-pulped, with the extracted beans then dried in the sun before roasting and grinding to produce the popular beverage. As an ornamental plant in the landscape, the berries and foliage provide winter interest.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

Coffee plants are susceptible to scale, mealybug, thrips, caterpillars and mites.

 

 

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fragrant#evergreen#showy flowers#small tree#fragrant flowers#houseplant#specimen#white flowers#broadleaf evergreen#winter interest#showy fruits#red fruits#cascading flowers#vibrant#edible fruits#exotic looking#star shaped flowers#evergreen shrub#tropical feel#shrub borders#container plant#patio
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fragrant#evergreen#showy flowers#small tree#fragrant flowers#houseplant#specimen#white flowers#broadleaf evergreen#winter interest#showy fruits#red fruits#cascading flowers#vibrant#edible fruits#exotic looking#star shaped flowers#evergreen shrub#tropical feel#shrub borders#container plant#patio
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Coffea
    Species:
    arabica
    Family:
    Rubiaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Coffee beans
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Ethiopia, Sudan, Kenya
    Distribution:
    Central America, Northern South America, Hawaii, Southeast Asia.
    Edibility:
    Fruits are edible, but seeds are what are usually dried, roasted and ground to make coffee. Coffee, of course, contains caffeine.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Edible
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Multi-stemmed
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
    12-24 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Winter
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Fruit Description:
    Green two-seeded berries that gradually mature to yellow, light red and finally deep red.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Fragrant (resembles the aroma of jasmine), star-shaped flowers that bloom May to June in axillary clusters of 2 to 9.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Smooth
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Leaf Margin:
    Crenate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Glabrous, glossy, dark green leaves with prominent veins and wavy margins.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Gray
    Bark Description:
    Fissured on older branches and trunk.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Patio
    Landscape Theme:
    Edible Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Specimen