Your complete guide to the growth and care of the coffee plant
For some people getting up to a fresh brew of coffee is so delightful, all across America and around the world, you can find coffee lovers who start their morning off with a nice cup of coffee. I am amazed at the number of commercials that comes across the airwaves that advertise different coffee brans.
After graduation from high school, my first real job was as a busboy at one of the local hotels, what interest me was to see the amount of coffee that was served each morning during the breakfast hour. Just about every morning some of the guests would come to the restaurant and order a couple, cups of coffee only while reading the morning newspaper as they caught up on the latest news.
The coffee industry makes billions of dollars each year harvesting coffee beans and producing coffee. I remembered as a child growing up my dad would often give me my little cup of coffee to drink while he made a big cup for himself and to be honest with you I really enjoyed it.
You may be wondering how could he give you being a kid coffee to drink? I guess my dad wanted me to indulge in this delightful taste as much as he did. What I found also interesting is that the coffee plant is not only grown for its beans but is used in many garden designs, the coffee plant is native to Asia and Africa so if you are a coffee lover or just want to give this plant a try as part of your garden design then continue reading as we learn about the growth and care of the coffee plant.
Planting Location
When installing your coffee plant look for an area that gets bright indirect sunlight because if a coffee plant is exposed to full sunlight the leaves will burn. Zones 9-11 are ideal for these plants which can reach heights of up to 6 ft with a width of 3 ft.
Soil Type
The soil type for this plant should be soil that is organic-rich to retain moisture. The soil ph can be around 6-6.5.
Watering Methods
The coffee plant loves moisture, therefore, ensure that the soil is moist at all times. But be careful because just as a lack of water so can overwatering cause the leaves to drop. During the winter months decrease the amount of water you give your plant.
Fertilizing Methods
Fertilize your coffee plant with a liquid feed. Before applying fertilizers read and follow the manufacturer’s label because the label is the law.
Garden insect pest of the coffee plant
Below is a few garden pest to be on the lookout for. These insects can cause damage, to bring them under control follow, these tips.
- Mites
- Aphids
- Mealybugs
- Spider mites
These garden insect pests cause damage by sucking the plant’s fluids. The excrement from these insects is a sugary substance known as honeydew, from the honeydew fungus is formed known as sooty mold. Sooty mold will cause your plant to take on a sickly appearance. To bring resolution to these issues the use of insecticidal soap or horticultural oils will help.
Diseases of the coffee plant
Keep a watch for these diseases.
- Leaf Rust
- Leaf Spot
When growing coffee indoors ensure that your plant is getting high humidity because if not expect these diseases to show up.
Where to install your coffee plant
Here are just a few places to install the coffee plant.
1. The coffee plant can be installed as a backdrop in a garden plant bed.
2. These plants can be installed in the center of a garden plant bed.
3. Installing them alongside a wall is great.
4. Planting them along a garden walking path is great
5. Installing them in containers and placing the containers on your porch or patio can work.
6. They look great planted alongside a fenced area.
Having success with an indoor-grown coffee plant
What about installing them indoors?
It is so good to know that these plants can be installed indoors. Before installing your coffee plant indoors ensure that the container is large enough for your coffee plant to sit comfortably, the container should also have drain holes to allow access to water to drain. Place a saucer under your container to collect the water that comes out of the drain holes.
The soil should be well-drained soil that can hold moisture. Placing your coffee plant near a window where there is indirect bright light is a must to keep your plant growing at its best.
Watering Methods
Because the coffee plant loves moisture it is important to keep the soil moist at all times, not waterlogged but moist because overwatering can lead to root rot.
Fertilizing your indoor coffee plant
Feeding your coffee plant with a balanced fertilizer of triple ten will keep your plant growing healthy. Fertilize in the spring and in the summer once every two months.
The room temperature
In order for your coffee plant to thrive, the room temperature can be anywhere from 60-75 degrees. If this condition is not met your plant will be damaged.
Humidity
Your coffee plant is depending on high humidity to perform at its best, to help with the humidity level set your coffee plant on a wet pebble tray, or consider purchasing a humidifier and placing it near your coffee plant.
The final word
The coffee plant is an amazing plant that is used in so many ways, what I found most interesting is that the coffee plant can be grown indoors. A plant like this is great to have as apart of your garden or interior plantscape design so if you are interested in the coffee plant following this guide will give you success.
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About the author
Norman loves being in the garden, both at home and for his job....
he is 'Natures Little helper' being outdoors, growing his vegetables and flowers from an early age.
Now having spent over 22 years in the profession he want to give some of his knowledge to others...
his vast array of hints and tips you will find scattered over this site will help you no end growing plants in your garden.