Plant profile
Coffee
Coffea arabica
Also known as coffee plant, Arabica coffee, coffee tree, Coffea arabica.
Coffee is a glossy evergreen shrub with scented white flowers followed by red berries. It grows well in warm Australian gardens with bright filtered light, fertile soil and reliable moisture.
- Grows well in
- Tropical, Subtropical, Temperate
- Lifecycle
- Evergreen fruiting shrub or small tree
- Light
- Part shade, Full sun
- Mature size
- Often 2–5 m as a garden shrub or small tree, though dwarf cultivars can stay much smaller with pruning.
- Spacing
- About 2–3 m apart for full-sized backyard shrubs; dwarf cultivars can be closer.
- Growth habit
- Evergreen multi-stemmed shrub or small tree with glossy leaves, fragrant white flowers and red berry-like coffee cherries.
- Native range
- Eastern South Sudan, south-western Ethiopia and northern Kenya
- Natural habitat
- Humid evergreen mountain forest, usually around 950–1,950 m elevation.
When to plant
Tropical
February–November
Subtropical
September–April
Temperate
October–February
Plant in warm frost-free weather. In temperate districts, use a protected microclimate and wait until frost risk has passed.
Planting
Plant into fertile, free-draining soil with shelter from harsh western sun and drying wind. Keep the root ball evenly moist while establishing.
Position and light
Bright filtered light or morning sun suits hot climates. In cooler districts it can take more sun, but drought and hot western exposure can scorch leaves and reduce fruiting.
Soil
Fertile, organic soil that holds steady moisture but drains freely. Mulch the root zone without piling mulch against the trunk.
Watering
Do not let fruiting plants dry hard during hot or windy weather. Water deeply when rainfall is not enough, then let excess water drain.
Feeding
Feed during active growth and after flowering with a balanced fruiting fertiliser at the label rate. Avoid oversized nitrogen doses that push leaves at the expense of flowers.
Pruning
Thin crossing, damaged and congested stems after harvest. Tip-pruning can encourage fresh flowering wood and keep backyard plants at an easy picking height.
Harvest
Pick red ripe coffee cherries before birds take them. Home processing from cherry to roasted coffee takes several drying, hulling and roasting steps.
Propagation
Grow from fresh seed or buy nursery plants. Seedlings can vary, while named cultivars give more predictable size and fruiting.
Common problems
Drought stress, sunburn, scale, mealybugs and poor fruit set under dry conditions can occur. Birds readily spread ripe berries.
Safety notes
Coffee leaves, beans and other tissues contain caffeine. Keep substantial amounts of plant material and harvested beans away from pets.
Worth knowing
Coffee can be kept as a manageable shrub with pruning rather than allowed to become a small tree. The fragrant flowers often appear in flushes, followed months later by berries that ripen from green through red.
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How it grows around Australia
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