Coffea, commonly known as Coffee Plants, is a genus of flowering plants whose seeds, called Coffee Beans, are used to make various coffee beverages and products. They are shrubs or small trees native to tropical and southern Africa and tropical Asia. Coffee ranks as one of the world's most valuable and widely traded commodity crops.
Considered among the easiest and hardiest houseplants, Coffee Plant is great for experienced or beginner gardeners. Not only is Coffee Plant care easy, but the plant itself is lovely and makes a beautiful addition to the home.
Growing Conditions and General Care
Coffee Plants prefer bright but indirect light. This means they should be placed near a window but not directly in the window itself. They also cannot take temperatures below freezing and will not do well in temperatures that stay consistently below 65°F (18°C). So keep them away from drafts in the winter.
When growing Coffee Plants, the soil needs to stay moist but not soaking wet. Also, make sure that the soil and the pot your coffee plant is growing in have good drainage. The humidity around the plant will need to stay high as well. Setting your Coffee Plant on a water-filled pebble tray will help with humidity. Like many houseplants, a coffee plant will need less water in the winter than in the summer.
Your Coffee Plant care routine can also include light fertilizing with a balanced fertilizer once every 2 to 3 months in the spring and summer. Keep in mind that a happy Coffee Plant can grow up to 6 feet (1.8 m) tall. Therefore, provide enough space for the plant or make pruning a regular part of caring for your Coffee Plant. If you choose to prune your Coffee Plant, the best time is early spring.
Repotting
Repot your Coffee Plant every spring, gradually stepping up the pot size.
Propagation
Sow fresh seeds in spring. Cuttings are difficult to propagate, but you'll have the best chance at success by taking young stems before they have hardened.
Harvesting
The fruits are red when they ripen in the fall, with a sweet pulp surrounding the bean. Each Coffee Berry produces two beans. Coffee Plants' fruit does not all ripen at one time. In fact, it will have blossoms and berries in various stages of ripening. Only the ripe berries can be picked. The berries cannot be picked when green since they will not ripen once picked.
Source: gardeningknowhow.com
Links
- Back to genus Coffea
- Plantpedia: Browse flowering plants by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, or Origin