Arabian Coffee

What you'll need:

Arabian Coffee seeds or a young coffee plant (you can find these online or at specialty nurseries)

A pot that’s at least 10-12 inches wide with drainage holes

Light, well-draining potting soil (you can mix regular potting soil with some sand and perlite to improve drainage)

Some organic fertilizer (a general-purpose one works fine)

When to start:

Arabian Coffee plants love warm, stable temperatures. They thrive best indoors in most climates because they don’t like cold weather. You can start planting them anytime, but spring is ideal since it mimics their natural growing season.

Choosing a spot:

Coffee plants prefer bright, indirect light. Place them near a window where they get filtered sunlight. Too much direct sun can burn the leaves, so if your window gets harsh afternoon light, use a sheer curtain to soften it.

If you're starting with seeds:

1. Soak the seeds in water for about 24 hours before planting to help them germinate faster.
2. Fill a small pot with moistened soil and make a hole about ½ inch deep.
3. Place the seed in the hole and cover it lightly with soil.
4. Water gently to keep the soil moist but not soggy.
5. Cover the pot with plastic wrap or a clear plastic bag to create a mini-greenhouse effect and keep the moisture in.
6. Keep the pot in a warm spot (around 70-75°F/21-24°C) with indirect light.
7. Seeds can take anywhere from 1 to 6 months to sprout, so be patient!

If you're using a young plant:

1. Choose a pot slightly larger than the nursery pot the plant came in.
2. Fill the new pot halfway with your prepared soil mix.
3. Carefully remove the plant from its nursery pot and place it into the new pot.
4. Add more soil around the plant until the roots are covered, but don’t bury the stem too deeply.
5. Water thoroughly after planting.

Tip: Coffee plants love being slightly root-bound, so don’t rush to repot unless the roots are visibly coming out of the drainage holes.

Watering:

• Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Stick your finger into the soil—if it’s dry up to your first knuckle, it’s time to water.
• Make sure the pot drains well; coffee plants hate sitting in waterlogged soil.
• During the growing season (spring and summer), you might need to water once or twice a week. In winter, reduce watering to every 10 days or so.

Feeding:

• Feed your coffee plant every 2-3 months with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength.
• Avoid over-fertilizing—too much can burn the roots and damage the plant.

Humidity & Temperature:

• Coffee plants love humidity! If you live in a dry climate, mist the leaves every few days or place a humidifier nearby.
• Keep the temperature steady between 60-70°F (15-24°C). Avoid placing the plant near drafts, heaters, or air conditioners.

Pruning:

• Prune your coffee plant occasionally to encourage bushier growth and remove any dead or yellowing leaves.
• Use clean scissors to trim back leggy stems – this helps the plant focus energy on healthy growth.

Light Reminder:

• Rotate the plant every few weeks so all sides get equal sunlight. This prevents it from leaning toward the light source.

When will you see coffee cherries?

• It takes about 3-4 years for a coffee plant to mature enough to produce fruit. Be patient—it’s worth the wait!
• The cherries will start as green, then turn bright red when they’re ripe (this usually happens in late fall or early winter).

How to harvest:

• When the cherries are fully red and plump, gently pick them off by hand.
• Inside each cherry are two seeds—these are your coffee beans!

Processing the beans:

• After harvesting, you’ll need to process the beans if you want to roast them:
  1. Remove the outer skin and pulp of the cherry.
  2. Let the seeds ferment in water for a day or two to remove any remaining pulp.
  3. Rinse the seeds and let them dry in a cool, shaded area until they’re hard and brittle.
  4. Once dried, you can roast them in a pan or oven at low heat until they turn brown and fragrant.

Note: Growing coffee is more about enjoying the plant itself rather than expecting large yields. Even one cup of homegrown coffee is a special treat!

Q: Why are my coffee plant’s leaves turning yellow?

A: Yellow leaves could mean overwatering or poor drainage. Check if the soil is staying too wet and adjust your watering schedule. Also, ensure the pot has proper drainage holes.

Q: My coffee plant isn’t growing much. What should I do?

A: Coffee plants grow slowly, especially when they’re young. Ensure it’s getting enough light, humidity, and nutrients. If everything seems okay, just give it time—it may take a while to pick up speed.

Q: Can I grow a coffee plant outdoors?

A: Only if you live in a warm, frost-free climate (USDA zones 10-12). Otherwise, it’s better to keep your coffee plant indoors where you can control the temperature and light.

Q: How do I increase humidity for my coffee plant?

A: You can mist the leaves regularly, place a tray of water and pebbles under the pot (make sure the pot isn’t sitting directly in the water), or use a humidifier.

Q: Why does my coffee plant have brown leaf tips?

A: Brown tips usually indicate low humidity or inconsistent watering. Try increasing the humidity around the plant and maintaining a regular watering routine.

Q: Do coffee plants flower?

A: Yes! Before producing cherries, coffee plants produce small, fragrant white flowers. These blooms eventually turn into the coffee cherries.