What is a coffee plant?

The coffee plant (Coffea) is a tropical, evergreen shrub from the Rubiaceae family, growing in the region between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. There are over 100 species of coffee plants, but the two most commercially significant are Coffea arabica (Arabica) and Coffea canephora (Robusta).

Growing Arabica in Guatemala. Photo 88 Graines

 

What does a coffee plant look like?

Arabica plants typically grow as large shrubs with dark green, oval leaves. Their fruit, known as coffee cherries, are round and take 7–9 months to ripen after flowering. Each cherry usually contains two flat seeds—which we recognize as coffee beans. Occasionally, a cherry develops only one round seed, called a peaberry.

Robusta plants, on the other hand, are hardier and can grow up to 10 meters tall. Their cherries are more rounded and require up to 11 months to ripen. The beans are smaller and more oval compared to Arabica beans.

 

 

How is coffee cultivated?

The optimal growing temperatures for coffee plants are:

• 15–24°C for Arabica
• 24–30°C for Robusta

Arabica thrives at higher elevations (800–2500 meters above sea level) in cooler, mountainous regions, whereas Robusta is more adaptable, growing at lower altitudes (up to 800 meters) and tolerating warmer, humid conditions.

Coffee plants require annual rainfall of 1500–3000 mm, with Arabica needing slightly less water than other species.

 

Arabica seedlings in Guatemala. Photo 88 Graines

How do coffee plants grow?

Coffee plants start from seeds, which are the actual beans inside the coffee cherry. Young coffee plants are grown in nurseries, where they develop for about 12 months before being planted on farms. At this stage, they reach about 40 cm in height.

• The plant begins to produce flowers and fruit after about four years.
• The first commercial harvest typically occurs seven years after planting.

Arabica seedlings in Guatemala. Photo 88 Graines

Coffee harvesting methods

Since coffee is often grown in mountainous areas, mechanical harvesting is not always possible. As a result, in many regions, coffee cherries are picked by hand.

However, in Brazil, where coffee farms are larger and the terrain is flatter, mechanized harvesting is common, allowing for higher production volumes.

 

Coffee trees yield an average of 2–4 kg of fruit per year.

A skilled picker can collect 45–90 kg of coffee cherries per day, which translates to 9–18 kg of processed coffee beans.

 

There are two main harvesting methods:

1. Strip picking – All cherries are stripped from the branches at once, whether they are ripe or not. This is done mechanically or by hand.
2. Selective picking – Only the ripe cherries are picked by hand. Harvesters return every 8–10 days to collect the ripest fruit. This method is more labor-intensive and expensive but results in higher quality coffee.

 

Ripening Arabica fruit on a bush. Photo 88 Graines

Can you grow a coffee plant at home?

Yes! While growing coffee plants at home is challenging, it is possible with proper care.

 

Tips for growing coffee plants at home:

• Use acidic soil, similar to what is used for citrus plants.
• Plant each seedling in its own pot.
• Choose a pot with drainage holes to prevent overwatering.
• Place the plant in a bright location with indirect sunlight.
• Avoid drafts and sudden temperature changes.
• Keep the air humid to prevent leaf drop.

With proper care, indoor coffee plants can grow up to 2 meters tall and may even flower after a few years. However, producing coffee cherries at home is rare and usually takes 4–7 years.