A Look Into Growing A Coffee Plant

Feather Charm
6 hours ago
4 min read

Hello Everyone!

Today, we’re going to be talking about growing coffee plants. I’ve tried this a couple of times before, and I was progressing well, until I made the mistake of putting the plant into a non-draining plastic container (I didn’t realise it didn’t have a drainage hole, so the roots rotted, and the plants died in the end). However, now that I’ve learned from my mistakes, I am slowly improving and growing my coffee plants into the bushes they’re meant to be. So, here’s a look into growing coffee plants at home, and the 4 lessons I’ve learned from it.

They Are Hardy Plants

When I bought my first coffee plant, to raise at home, I didn’t know what kind of plants they are. I knew that they would need more care than a succulent or a cactus, but as it grew in its pot, and since I was always busy at work, I wasn’t able to water it as much as I’d thought I could. In the end, I watered the thing about once a week, and it was still thriving. That was when I knew it was a resilient plant.

Honestly, it was one of my best purchases, because it slowly eased me into the gardening world, but I received a nasty shock, when I placed it in a plastic container, without making any drainage holes first. When I was looking into repotting plants, little did I know that drainage was a thing. When it died on me, from its rotted roots, that was when I learned that lesson. So, remember, when repotting your plants, always find a container with drainage holes, or if you don’t have one available to you, you can make one, by drilling holes into the bottom of those extra plastic containers you have lying around.

Coffee Trees Can Be As Tall As 39ft

So, this doesn’t apply to indoor grown coffee plants, and more for the coffee trees that grow in the wild. They can grow as tall as 32ft or 10m! Of course, this only applies to unpruned and wild coffee trees. However, for the indoor planted variety, they will only grow to about 1.5ft/2ft or 60cm, so long as you prune and manage it. That way, your house won’t be overrun by the tree. However, that's still a pretty impressive size for a coffee tree, and if you do decide to plant your coffee tree outside, it may even grow as tall as 6-15ft or 2-3m.

Honestly, I’d be happy with having my coffee bush grow to about 1ft. I haven’t managed to get it that far yet, but I’m hoping it will, eventually. The plant I currently have still measures about 4in or 10cm, so it hasn’t grown that much yet. I mean, I did buy it about a month ago, but I cannot wait to see it become a bush, and maybe one day, become a tree. I’m not sure yet, where I’d plant it, but you never know.

Don’t Expect To Grow Coffee In Your Home

Coffee beans need the right conditions to actually grow. If you grow a coffee plant at home, it’s more likely that it will never blossom or produce viable beans for an actual cup of coffee. If you did want to grow your own beans, you’re better off creating your own facility that helps you farm your coffee beans. There’s a reason why the best coffee comes from Brazil, and from other farms around the world. They have the right altitude and conditions to grow. Not to mention, there are many farm hands working round the clock, to maintain and care for the trees.

So, don’t expect your coffee plants to grow coffee beans that are suitable for your morning cup of coffee. You’re better off buying roasted beans from your local coffee suppliers and specialist companies, than trying to do it yourself. A lot of dedication and hard work is needed to grow your own coffee beans. Not only that, but processing the beans, to make your morning cup will be just as intensive. That’s why it’s better you buy it from trusted sources.

Coffee Plants Are Safe For Pets

If you have a pet, you've probably been told "don't feed them coffee, it's toxic", well, yes, but the plant itself is not. It doesn't have the same caffeine content as the bean does. So, you are pretty safe if you do decide to buy a coffee plant, and raise it. Just be sure that if you do try to grow your own coffee beans from it, keep the berries and the beans away from your beloved little ones. They are toxic to pets, and you don't want to have a nasty trip to the vet, because your poor little babies accidentally chewed at your new berries (that's not a euphemism!).

I fortunately don’t have a pet, so it's not something I've had to be wary of. Of course, if I did, and if I ever decide to try and grow the beans on my coffee plant, I'm sure I'll need to keep the plant in a room or space out of reach of my pet, so they aren't tempted to eat the berries or beans. So, planting the tree in the garden might not be a safe option, if you are trying to grow your own beans. Instead, I'd recommend keeping them in a pot, in a greenhouse that your little one can't get to.

Give Me Your Coffee Plant Rearing Tips!

I am still on my growing journey, with my coffee plants, and I’m still learning what the best way to take care of them is. It’s going to be a slow one, but hey, it’s something right? Nevertheless, if you’ve grown a coffee plant, or if you’re a gardener with some coffee plant experience, tell me what your tips for growing them are and how big your plant has grown. Let me know in the comments below!

Well, that’s it from me today, I’m going to go and water my babies, while I do that, please don’t forget to like, subscribe, comment, share and follow me, here on Feather’s Charm, on my YouTube channel, on my other social media channels (Instagram, Twitter/X, TikTok), and on Patreon. Your support really does help me make more content like this, for you guys.