Edibles – Fruit – Arabica Coffee

Arabica Coffee  

Botanical name: coffea arabica

Beginner friendly?: moderate 

Average size at maturity: can reach up to about 20 ft in height with up to a 15 ft spread in tropical or indoor environments 

Hardy zone: zones 10-11 

Foliage color: green 

Flower color: white 

Bloom time: spring, summer 

Growth rate: can grow 1-2 ft per year in tropical or indoor environments 

Pruning instructions: prune in the late winter/early spring to maintain desired shape and size, harvest coffee beans in the winter 

Propagation methods: propagate with cuttings in the spring and summer months 

Landscape use: herb garden, shade garden, container plant, patio plant 

Special features: produce red berries containing edible coffee beans for harvest, disease resistant, attracts pollinators, attracts wildlife, heat tolerant, shade tolerant 

Light needs: 3-5 hours of sun per day 

Watering instructions: keep soil consistently damp but not soaked 

Fertilizing instructions : use an organic slow-release fertilizer at the time of planting and again once a year in the early spring 

Best time to plant: spring 

Best type of soil: sand, loam 

Companion plants: banana tree, cacao tree, avocado tree, rosemary, mint, basil

Toxicity level: toxic for pets if ingested but non-toxic for humans 

Invasive species: no