How to grow and care for Coffea arabica?

The Coffea arabica plant is one of the most widely-grown plants in the world. It is a perennial shrub that grows up to 6 metres tall and produces yellow berries when ripe. The fruit contains around 10 seeds which contain an oily seed inside called a “coffee bean”. 

Coffee beans can be roasted to make different types of coffee, including espresso, French press, Turkish coffee and more.  The plant is also known as Coffea canephora and Arabian coffee.

Coffea arabica is a tropical plant that grows in the mountains of Ethiopia, Kenya, and Yemen. The seeds of this plant have been used for centuries to make coffee. Coffee is grown in almost every country in the world, with some of the best coffee being grown in Brazil. Coffee has been used for thousands of years and has many different uses.

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Coffee arabica is an important cash crop in Cameroon, and the leaves are decocted in water for antimalarial purposes.

This species is grown commercially for its beans, which are used to make coffee. The beans are roasted and ground into powder or liquid form to make coffee drinks.

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Learn about: How to grow and care for a coffee plant?

Coffea arabica: Quick facts

Botanical Name	Coffea arabica
Common Name	Arabian coffee
Genus	Coffea
Kingdom	Plantae
Clade	Tracheophytes
Order	Gentianales
Family	Rubiaceae
Life Cycle	Evergreen
Mature Size	6–15 Ft. Tall
Cultivation	Ethiopia, Kenya, And Yemen
Benefits	Making coffee and other beverages

 

Coffea arabica: Physical description

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• Coffea arabica is a coffee plant that grows to about 15 feet in height. 
• The plant is evergreen, meaning it keeps its leaves year-round. 
• It has shiny green leaves that grow from the base of the plant and point upwards. 
• They are slightly tapered at the edges and have smooth edges. 
• The plant produces small white flowers in clusters throughout its stem. 
• When these flowers open up, they release pungent odours that attract insects and keep pests away from the plants. 
• The flowers also produce red berries that are edible and sweet tasting when ripe.

 

Coffea arabica: How to grow? 

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Coffee plants are grown from seeds or cuttings. 

The plants need a minimum of 90 days to fully develop but can be grown from cuttings in as little as 16 days.

The seeds should be planted in late summer. They germinate within two weeks and require no special care until they begin to flower.  Once flowering begins, the young plants need to be protected from frost. 

A few branches should be pruned off each week during this time so that they do not become too shaggy or crowded together. 

When the seeds have been planted and have begun to sprout roughly six months later, they should be thinned out so that each plant has three or four strong stems with plenty of room between them for sunlight and air circulation. 

 

Coffea arabica: Care tips

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The Coffea arabica plant is not like other plants. It needs a lot of space, a lot of sunlight, and regular watering. The best way to grow coffee is to purchase plants from your local nursery or garden centre.

You’ll have to give your coffee plant at least five hours of sunlight each day to produce fruit. You should also make sure that the soil pH level is between 6 and 7.  Otherwise, your coffee plant may not thrive. 

In addition, don’t overwater your coffee plant. Instead, allow it to dry out completely between watering sessions by setting it out for one hour after each watering session because this will prevent root rot.

Coffea arabica prefers sandy loam soils with lots of organic matter at least 6 inches deep. However, it will tolerate heavier clay soils as long as there isn’t much competition for water or nutrients. It prefers full sun exposure but will grow well in partial shade areas as well. Not enough sunlight will stop growth, not entirely, but more than enough.

 

Coffea Arabica: Pests and plant diseases

Coffee plants cultivated indoors may encounter challenges such as infestations of mealybugs, aphids, and mites. Indicators of infestation encompass tiny webs, clumps of white powdery residue, or visible insects on the plant. Swift action is essential to prevent the spread of these pests to other plants in your collection. Treatment options range from conventional insecticides to organic alternatives like neem oil.

 

Coffea Arabica: Common problems 

Brown spots on leaves

Fungal diseases, notably leaf spot, can manifest as brown spots on coffee plant leaves. To address this issue, promptly remove affected leaves and stems. Additionally, trimming inner branches enhances air circulation around the plant, mitigating the risk of fungal diseases.

Browning leaves

Leaves turning brown and falling off may result from leaf scorch, often caused by excessive exposure to sunlight. Correcting this involves providing your coffee plant with more indirect light. Browning leaves can also signal excessive watering or root rot, typically arising from waterlogged soil. Ensuring proper drainage can help prevent this issue.

Plant isn’t blooming

A coffee plant’s failure to bloom may stem from inadequate energy absorption due to insufficient bright indirect light. Address this by relocating your coffee plant to an east-facing window, where it can receive the necessary sunlight for optimal blooming.

 

Coffea arabica: Uses

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• It has been used for centuries as a source of caffeine and caffeine-containing compounds. The seeds of this plant are used as a spice in many cuisines around the world, including American cuisine.
• The plant produces coffee beans, which are used for making coffee. Coffee beans are often roasted and then ground into a powder that can be added to hot water or other beverages.
• The seeds of this plant contain caffeine, which is why it’s so popular for use in coffee. Coffee beans are harvested from these seeds by removing their outer covering and drying them before roasting or grinding them into powder form for use in instant coffee.
• In addition to treating influenza and anaemia, coffee plants are also used to treat oedema, asthenia, and rage. As well as curing hepatitis, coffee has been found to help with liver dysfunction.
• Nervous shock can be prevented by applying it externally. Intoxication and lethargy can be treated with this stimulant. It can also be used to treat common colds and lung diseases as an antitussive. 
• It works wonders for asthma and is cardiotonic, neurotoxic, and neuroprotective.
• As an anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antidiabetic, and antiatherosclerotic agent, coffee oil possesses many biologically active compounds 

 

FAQs

How is Coffea arabica used?

A member of the Rubiaceae family, coffee (Coffea arabica) is one of the most widely consumed brewed drinks in the world. Coffee beans are roasted to make coffee powder. The bioactive components of coffee are phenols and melanoidins.

What is the taste of Arabica coffee?

Though Arabica beans contain less caffeine than Robusta, they are often considered to be more delicious. In addition to chocolate and sugar flavour notes, arabica coffee often has hints of fruits and berries.

What is the caffeine content of Coffea arabica?

Coffee beans contain 34.1 to 38.5 grams of caffeine per kilogram (kg) of dry coffee.

What is the proper way to care for a coffee plant?

The plant needs high humidity, bright indirect light, and moist, rich, well-draining soil that is slightly acidic.

Is coffee plant toxic to pets?

Yes. All plant components are poisonous to cats and dogs, with the exception of the fruit and its seed.