The coffee plant has become a popular indoor houseplant, prized for its glossy, deep green foliage and tropical appearance. While the plant can produce fragrant white flowers and red “cherries” that contain coffee beans, the primary reason for growing it indoors is its ornamental value, as indoor harvest yields are minimal. The species most commonly grown inside is Coffea arabica, native to the highlands of Ethiopia, which adapts relatively well to bright, indirect indoor conditions. Knowing where to source a healthy specimen and understanding its specific care requirements are necessary for successfully cultivating this attractive plant in a home environment.
Retail Sources for Coffee Plants
Consumers looking to purchase a coffee plant have three primary retail channels: online specialty stores, local nurseries, and large big-box retailers. Online specialty retailers generally provide the widest selection, often carrying specific cultivars or more mature specimens that are harder to find locally. These online purchases, however, carry the risk of shipping stress, where the plant is exposed to extreme temperatures or lack of light during transit, which may cause leaf loss or shock.
Local nurseries offer plants that have been acclimated to the regional climate. The staff at these locations are often able to provide tailored advice and ensure the plant is healthy before purchase. Although the price point might be higher than other sources, the added guidance and reduced shipping stress can be beneficial for a tropical plant like Coffea arabica.
Big-box stores provide the greatest convenience and the lowest initial cost for a coffee plant. These plants are usually younger seedlings and are readily available, making them a good choice for a first-time grower. However, the plant quality can be inconsistent due to high-volume shipping and sometimes less specialized care, with employees often lacking specific horticultural knowledge. When purchasing from any source, always check the retailer’s guarantee or return policy concerning live plants.
Selecting a Healthy Specimen
A careful visual inspection is necessary to ensure the plant you select is robust and free of pests or disease. A healthy Coffea arabica specimen will display uniformly glossy, deep green leaves. Avoid plants with extensive browning on the leaf tips or edges, which is a common sign of insufficient humidity or inconsistent watering.
The size of the plant can be an indicator of its age; younger seedlings are generally more adaptable to a new environment, while larger plants may be more likely to produce the white flowers and fruit. Look closely at the undersides of the leaves and where the leaf meets the stem for signs of common houseplant pests. Spider mites, which leave fine webbing, and scale insects, which appear as small, hard bumps, are frequent issues for coffee plants, especially when humidity is low.
Examine the soil surface and the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. A plant with healthy roots will not have a foul or decaying odor, and the soil should not be perpetually soggy. Root rot causes the roots to appear dark brown or black, leading to yellowing and wilting leaves.
Caring for Your Coffee Plant at Home
Providing conditions that mimic its tropical origin is necessary for sustained health. The plant requires bright, indirect light, similar to the dappled sun it would receive in its native habitat. Placing the plant near an east or west-facing window works well, but direct midday sunlight should be avoided because it can easily scorch the delicate foliage, resulting in brown spots.
Maintaining consistently high humidity is perhaps the single most important factor for a thriving indoor coffee plant, ideally above 50%. Dry air causes the leaf edges to turn brown and crispy, and it also makes the plant more susceptible to pests like spider mites. You can increase humidity by using a small room humidifier, grouping the plant with other plants to create a microclimate, or placing its pot on a pebble tray filled with water.
The plant’s soil should be kept uniformly moist but never waterlogged, as this quickly leads to root rot. Water the plant thoroughly when the top inch of the soil feels dry to the touch, ensuring the pot has adequate drainage to prevent water from collecting around the roots. Coffee plants prefer a slightly acidic soil mix, often achieved with a blend of peat moss and perlite or another well-draining material.
During the spring and summer growing season, a balanced, water-soluble liquid fertilizer should be applied every two to four weeks to support new growth. Temperatures between 65°F and 75°F are ideal, and the plant should be kept away from cold drafts from windows or hot air from heating vents. Pruning is not often required but can be done in the spring to remove leggy growth or maintain a bushier, more compact shape.