Description
Arabian coffee comes from Abyssinia, Mozambique and the African Great Lakes region. The coffee shrub has been known in Europe since 1700.
The plant has glossy, dark green leaves 10–15 cm long. After a few years many white flowers appear at the base of the leaves on new shoots. They are fairly small but pleasantly scented, reminiscent of jasmine. About 9 months after flowering the fruits ripen. They are green at first, then turn red, and when ripe they are black. Each fruit contains two seeds – the coffee beans.
In conservatories or large rooms the shrub can reach up to 2 metres in height, but this requires proper care.
Requirements
It likes bright positions with diffused light. It is important that the air and soil temperatures are the same, so in winter do not stand the plant on a cold windowsill, for example. The optimum temperature is 15–20°C; above 20°C, increase the humidity around the plant.
Propagation
Arabian coffee can be propagated from pieces of shoot or from seed.
From shoots.
When pruning, the cut tips can be used as cuttings and planted straight away in pots filled with a mix of sand, peat and soil. The soil temperature should be high, about 22–25°C. Roots form only after 2–4 weeks.
From seed.
The seeds remain viable for only a short time, so they must be sown as soon as they are ripe. Use the same compost as for cuttings and provide the right soil temperature. After germination, transplant the seedlings and keep them warm for some time longer.
Care
It needs a bright position without direct sun (which turns the leaves brown). The required temperature is 15–20°C. It does not like cold or high temperatures; above 20°C, increase the humidity around the plant by placing a shallow dish of water nearby, which will raise the humidity as it evaporates. It is very important that the air and soil temperatures are the same – take particular care of this in winter. A cold room, a cold windowsill and cold soil in the pot combined with sunshine mean the plant cannot function properly.
Water moderately, once the surface of the soil has dried thoroughly. Do not water the shrub with cold water! Hard water also causes many problems. Feed with a rhododendron fertiliser at a lower dose than stated on the label. Repot every year or two.
When plants get sick
The most common problems with coffee plants are leaf disorders caused by mistakes in cultivation. To avoid them, use soft, lukewarm water for watering and lime-free fertilisers. Draughts can make the leaves drop, and air that is too dry makes them curl. A position that is too warm can lead to attacks by spider mites or scale insects. All of these can be avoided by caring for the plant carefully, and then it will cause no trouble. Older plants are more resistant than young ones.
Before you buy
The shrub you buy should be dense and spreading, with glossy, undamaged leaves.
Average lifespan: – it can live a very long time.
Difficulty of care: – an easy plant to grow.