Coffee plant

10 Seeds

Seeding a Coffee Plant (Coffea arabica) is a rewarding but slow process. While not a typical garden annual, it’s a beautiful evergreen shrub that can be grown indoors in cooler climates or outdoors in tropical/subtropical regions (zones 10–11). Starting from seed requires patience — germination can take 1–3 months, and the plants are slow-growing at first.

Here’s your complete guide:

☕ Coffee Plant (Coffea arabica) – Seeding Guide

📦 Where to Get Viable Seeds

• Use fresh, raw (unroasted) coffee beans

• Beans must be recently harvested and still viable

• Dried green beans (used for roasting) often germinate poorly or not at all

📅 When to Sow

• Sow any time of year indoors (as long as you provide warmth and light)

• Best to start in spring or early summer for natural light support

🌱 Prepping the Seeds

1. Soak seeds in warm water for 24–48 hours

2. Optionally, scarify (lightly nick) the seed coat to speed up germination

🧂 Sowing Instructions

Containers:

• Use small pots or deep seedling trays with good drainage

Soil:

• Use a well-draining, slightly acidic mix

  • Example: Peat + perlite or cactus mix + compost

Depth:

• Sow seeds flat-side down, about ½ inch (1.25 cm) deep

Water:

• Keep soil consistently moist, not soggy

🌡️ Germination Conditions

• Temperature: 75–85°F (24–29°C) — warmth is crucial!

• Light: Bright indirect light

• Humidity: Cover with plastic or a humidity dome to maintain moisture

• Time: 30 to 90 days (sometimes longer)

🌿 After Germination

• Remove cover once sprouts emerge

• Grow in bright, filtered light (not direct sun initially)

• Water when the top inch of soil feels dry

• Begin light feeding after 6–8 weeks with a balanced houseplant fertilizer

🌞 Transplanting & Growth

• Once seedlings have 3–4 true leaves, pot up carefully

• Grows well indoors in bright, humid conditions

• Outdoors: Only in frost-free climates (zones 10–11)

Final Size:

• 3–6 ft indoors (can reach 10–15 ft outdoors with time)

☕ Time to Fruit

• Plants usually flower after 3–4 years

• Requires warmth, humidity, and consistent care to produce beans

• Indoor plants may need hand-pollination

🪴 Tips for Success

• Mist leaves or use a humidity tray indoors

• Keep away from drafts and temperature swings

• Repot every 1–2 years as it outgrows containers