Free Coffea Arabica Plants

An attractive plant with bold glossy green foliage. Once it has grown to maturity and is over four years old, and provided cultural conditions are right, it is possible that in late summer the plant might flower. The white flowers are star-like and enhanced by their fragrant scent. With luck, they may give rise to the production of fruit. These are green at first, but then turn red before finally ripening to darker brown ‘coffee beans’. However, the production of these beans on an indoor specimen is such an unlikely event that it would be unwise to choose the plant for this purpose alone. The Coffea can grow quite large, requiring considerable space. Older plants are therefore best displayed on the floor.

Plant type : Foliage plant with bushy, shrubby habit
Season of interest : All year round, with extra summer interest when in flower
Size : 100-150cm (39 — 59in)
Flower : Star-shaped, white, fragrant, produced in late summer; rarely followed by green fruits that turn red, then brown
Leaf : Oval, ribbed, 10-15cm (4—6in) long, 2.5-5cm (1 —2in) wide, shiny, green
Temperature : 18—21 “C (65—70°F)
Aspect/Light : Reasonable light, but away from direct sunlight
Humidity : Reasonable to high: dislikes a dry atmosphere
Watering : Evenly moisten compost in spring and summer, taking care not to over-water; keep on drier side in autumn and winter
Feeding : Once every two to four weeks with houseplant fertilizer in spring and summer
Propagation : Sow seed in seed and cutting compost in spring at 24°C (75°F)
Potting : Houseplant potting compost
Problems : Scale insect
Availability : Occasionally available throughout year
Uses indoors : Floor standing plant in lounge or dining room close to a window