Coffee is a beverage enjoyed by millions of people around the world. The Coffee plant is native to Ethiopia, and was first cultivated in Arabia. Coffee beans are actually the seeds of the Coffee plant, and they are roasted to create the familiar coffee flavor. Coffee beans can be ground into a powder, which is then brewed with hot water to make a cup of coffee. On this page, you can read all about the fun Coffee plant, including tips on how to care for it.
Table of Contents
Watering the coffee plant
Watering the Coffee Plant is an important step in keeping the plant healthy. Too much or too little watering can put a strain on the plant and lead to problems. The best way to water the Coffee Plant is to drench it thoroughly once a week so that the water can reach the root system.
Allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again. Normally this is needed about once a week. Once the temperatures get higher in the summer, the soil may dry out more quickly. Then it is also necessary to water earlier.
Like any plant, the Coffee Plant needs water to grow and bloom. At the same time, an excess of water is harmful. Too much water can lead to all kinds of problems, such as:
The roots of the plant can start to rot if they are constantly wet. This can lead to a number of problems, including poor drainage, nutrient deficiency, and eventually the death of the Coffee Plant.
Overwatering can also cause fungal diseases such as root rot and mildew to develop. These diseases can weaken the plant and make it more susceptible to pests and other problems.
Overwatering can also cause the plant’s leaves to turn yellow and fall off. This is a sign that the plant is stressed and not getting the nutrients it needs.
If you suspect that the Coffee Plant has been overwatered, stop watering immediately and allow the soil to dry out completely. It may also be necessary to repot the plant into fresh, dry soil.
Position of the Coffee plant
The Coffee Plant is a tropical plant and likes to be in a warm, moist environment. It tolerates some shade, but prefers a sunny spot. In many warm places around the world, the Coffee Plant grows outdoors. If you live in a cooler climate, you can grow the coffee plant indoors. Just make sure that there is enough light and that the temperature remains consistently above 18 degrees.
The right temperature for the coffee plant
The coffee plant thrives in warm weather, but can also tolerate somewhat cooler temperatures. The ideal temperature for the coffee plant is between 18 and 28 degrees Celsius. If the temperature gets too low, the Coffee Plant may drop its leaves. But even if it gets too warm, problems such as leaf fall can occur. This then happens because of dehydration of the soil and leaves.
Air humidity for the coffee plant
The Coffee plant prefers a humid environment. If the air is too dry, the plant may drop its leaves. To increase the humidity around the plant, you can spray it with a plant sprayer or place it on a pebble tray. A pebble tray is a container filled with gravel or rocks and water. The water evaporates and increases the humidity around the plant.
This advice applies to all houseplants that originate from tropical areas. Think of the Monstera and Alocasia, but also the beautiful Maranta is a tropical plant.
Pot and potting soil for the coffee plant
When repotting or re-potting the Coffee Plant, use a light, well-drained potting soil. You can make your own mix by mixing equal parts peat moss, perlite and sand. You can also buy a commercial potting soil mix specially formulated for tropical plants. Use a flower pot with drainage holes to prevent the roots from standing in water.
Fertilizing the Coffee Plant
The Coffee Plant does not need much fertilizer, but you can give it a little boost during the growing season with a universal fertilizer. Fertilizing the Coffee Plant is important to keep it healthy and growing. Use a well-balanced fertilizer that is high in nitrogen and low in phosphorus. Use the fertilizer once a month and dilute it according to the directions on the package. Too much fertilizer can damage the plant.
Pruning the Coffee Plant
Pruning the Coffee Plant is important to prevent the plant from growing too large and to encourage new growth. Prune the plant in early spring, before new growth begins. Cut away dead or dying branches and thin out branches that are in the way. Be careful not to prune too much, as this can damage the plant.
Frequently asked questions and problems
Harvesting the coffee plant
After a few years, the Coffee plant produces the berries that contain the beans. These berries take about 9 months to ripen. You know they are ready to harvest when they turn red or yellow. Cut off the branches with the ripe berries and remove the berries from the plant. The berries can be dried in the sun or in a dehydrator. Once they are dry, the beans can be taken out and roasted.
Coffee plant has brown leaves
There are a number of reasons why the coffee plant may have brown leaves. It can be due to a lack of water, too much water or a lack of nutrients. If the leaves are brown and dry, this is a sign that the plant needs more water. Let the plant dry out completely before you water again. If you see that the leaves are drooping or turning yellow, this is a sign that the plant needs more water.
If the leaves are brown and mushy, this is a sign of overwatering. The roots of the plant can start to rot if they are constantly wet. This can lead to a number of problems, including poor drainage, a lack of nutrients, and eventually the death of the plant.
The Coffee Plant Hangs Slack
The Coffee Plant hangs limply if it is not getting enough water. Therefore, if you see that the leaves are drooping, this is a sign that the plant needs more water. Always pay attention to good drainage when watering because excess is harmful to this plant.
Is the Coffee plant poisonous?
The Coffee plant is not poisonous. However, the beans of the plant are. If you ingest enough coffee beans, it can be fatal. Therefore, it is important to consume only coffee that has been roasted and ground. Try not to eat raw coffee beans.
How big does a Coffee plant grow?
As a houseplant, the Coffee Plant, under proper care, grows to about 2 to 3 feet tall at most. In its original habitat it grows even higher. There we actually speak of a coffee tree instead of a coffee plant.
