Coffea Arabica

Coffea arabica is the most popular coffee species in the world, known for producing beans with smooth, complex flavors and low bitterness. The evergreen shrub features glossy, dark green leaves and small, fragrant white flowers. Its fruit—called coffee cherries—ripens to a bright red and contains two seeds that become the coffee beans we roast and brew. Arabica thrives in cooler tropical climates and higher elevations, making it perfect for indoor growing in bright light or greenhouse conditions.

Latin Name: Coffea arabica
Site and Soil: Prefers bright, indirect light and rich, well-drained soil. Avoid direct afternoon sun.
Pollination Requirements: Self-fertile, but may benefit from hand pollination indoors.
Hardiness: Not frost-tolerant. Best grown indoors or in a greenhouse in temperate zones.
Bearing Age: 3-4 years from seed.
Size at Maturity: 4–6 ft indoors, up to 15 ft in the ground with optimal conditions.
Bloom Time: Spring to early summer, with flowers often followed by cherries in 6–9 months.
Ripening Time: 6–9 months after flowering.
Yield: 1–2 lbs of roasted beans per mature plant per year (varies with conditions).
Pests & Diseases: Watch for aphids, scale, and spider mites indoors. Good air circulation helps prevent leaf spot and mold.
USDA Zone: 10–11 outdoors. Grows well in containers in any zone if overwintered inside.