Coffee is one of the world’s favorite drinks and did you know that coffee trees can be grown indoors like many house plants? For some, coffee is just coffee, but others are in love with the depth of flavors and aromas each cup brings.

There are so many different names out there too; Java from the island of Java, Mocha beans from the Arabian Peninsula, Altera from the high slopes of Mexico, and Kona from the Hawaiian island, to name just a few. Coffee flavor is dependent not only on where it is grown but also on how it is grown and processed. The chain of events from the seed to the moment it pours into your mug makes each experience unique. Coffee takes a long journey and that’s something to appreciate and to think all those complex flavors are due to so many different factors. 

The earliest records of coffee being used by humans are from the sixteenth-century Sufi monasteries. The debate is ongoing regarding whether there were earlier uses of coffee as well as which group first discovered its stimulating effects.

One theory states that a goat herder who noticed the effects that consuming coffee beans had on his goats as they commenced a frenzy of dancing. The man then decided to try the beans and felt the stimulating effects. In one variation of the lore, he quickly shared this with his people and the tribe’s priest became enraged with the beans throwing them in the fire. The tribe smelled the aroma as the beans roasted so they removed them and cooled them in water, thus making the first coffee drink. 

There are a lot of varieties of coffee out there but, for the most part, there are two main crops: Arabica and Robusta. Arabica is the more sensitive of the two, preferring high altitudes and rich soil. Robusta can withstand lower altitudes and higher temperatures. Both thrive best in tropical regions that are between latitudes of 25 degrees north and 30 degrees south. That region is called the bean belt, only the southern tip of Florida, Texas, and all of Hawaii's land in this belt for the United States. So, unless you live in said bean belt, you will not be able to grow coffee outdoors easily. Fortunately, it is possible to grow coffee indoors all-year-round!

Yet, anyone can keep coffee trees in their home, they are great for beginners and expert plant parents alike. These trendy trees have beautiful dark green foliage that makes any room feel a bit more like a jungle. Coffee can flower at any time but usually does so after 3 to 6 years of growth. The fruit takes up to 9 months to mature into red-berries ready to be picked. The slower the bean matures on the tree the richer and more appealing the end product becomes.

Don’t expect many beans, but eventually with enough trees and adequate space, you can get enough berries to make a cup or more of coffee. It’s fun to get a few coffee berries from your tree, but don’t expect enough to supply all your coffee unless you’re not a coffee drinker. 

How to care for your tree

Fertilizer

The fertilization schedule for growing indoor coffee trees differs from summer to winter. In winter, it is beneficial to fertilize at least once, and in spring, adjust to a monthly or bi-monthly fertilization schedule and reduce that again as fall and winter approach and growth slows. if you are using a liquid fertilizer you can increase to every week when growth is at its peak in the summer months. One of the best fertilizers I've found for coffee trees is mixing in worm casings and cottonseed meal, this makes for a great source of NPK that is high in nitrogen. 

Water

Coffee loves water and high humidity. Give them ample amounts of water during the growing season, at least once a week. Once growth slows down in winter, let the soil dry out a bit more. Once or twice during the winter, let the soil dry to the point the leaves start to droop. Then that’s a great time to water. But be warned! This can be a dangerous edge to find so be careful not to let it get too dry.  

Soil/pH

A rich slightly acidic soil with good aeration is the ideal soil for coffee. if you are making your own soil at home make sure to mix in enough charcoal and perlite to help with cleansing and aeration. For the most part, a houseplant potting soil will work well, or look into a soil that is full of organic material and beneficial microbes.

Light

Coffee is an understory tree and does best when the sunlight is spotted or dappled. Too much full sun can cause the leaves to brown and possibly kill off your tree. Have a location that gets a lot of good dappled sunlight, or bouts of full sun all day. They will love locations that get strong morning sun and are out of direct evening sun. Their location in your home should be near a window and should allow periods of full light for best growth. South-facing windows are great for coffee trees year-round. The best-flavored beans are produced when growth is slow and steady. Quality beans need ample time to mature and too much intense light can cause them to mature too fast.

Temperature

The ideal temperature for coffee to grow, flower, and fruit are between 64 to 70 degrees. When temperatures are warmer, coffee will still grow well and this can even be good for young coffee trees. avoid locations in the winter that are drafty and fluctuate in temperature often. Like many houseplants’ coffee trees like consistency.

Starting out with a good location, healthy soil, and enough water and you will be able to enjoy the growth of your coffee trees for years to come. And if you ever get a chance, a visit to a coffee farm is a great way to spend a vacation while learning more about this plant and drink American love so much.