If you’re looking for the perfect cup of coffee to start your morning, or to create a unique drinking experience for friends and family, then you’ll need to grow your own. While it may seem like a daunting task, it is in fact very simple. All that you need to do is get the right tools, the right soil, the right plant and of course, the right coffee plant.
What is Coffee Plant?
Coffee plants come from the family Rubiaceae and belong to the genus Coffea. These plants are native to tropical Africa, where they are grown using the hand method. Coffee is a flowering evergreen tree that can grow up to 20 meters when grown in the wild. The coffee plant flowers between April and May and fruits between June and July. During these months, the fruits are harvested and turns into coffee beans. These beans are then roasted and brewed to create coffee.
How to Grow Coffee Plant Indoors
Growing your own coffee is one of the best ways to ensure fresh beans all year long. However, growing your own coffee plant indoors takes a little bit more know-how than just planting a seed in a pot. First off, make sure you choose the right strain for your climate. The two most common types of coffee are Arabica and Robusta, which are grown for two very different purposes. Arabica beans are generally more expensive and are grown for their delicately sweet flavor, whereas robusta beans are generally less expensive and are grown for their stronger, bolder taste.
Arabica beans generally need 18-22 degrees Celsius to thrive, whereas robusta beans do best at temperatures between 10 and 18 degrees Celsius. In order to grow your own Arabica coffee bean, you’ll need to get started with the right soil. This will help your plant get the nourishment it needs while also promoting strong growth. Furthermore, make sure that you keep your soil evenly moist. If it’s getting too dry, all you need to do is mist it a little bit more frequently. Similarly, if it’s getting too wet, make sure to open up some windows and let some cooler air in.
Coffee Plant Care
Now that you have the right soil and the right plant, it’s time to get started on the right care. When growing coffee indoors, the most important thing to remember is to keep your plant evenly moist. If it’s getting too dry, all you need to do is mist it a little bit more frequently. Likewise, if it’s getting too wet, all you need to do is open up some windows and let some cooler air in.
Another important part of coffee plant care is to plant them in a location that receives plenty of sunlight. Too little sunlight, and your plant will grow weak, undeveloped roots. Too much sunlight, and your plant will not receive enough and may develop excess leaf growth, resulting in a weak and burnt plant. Furthermore, make sure to place your plant at a height that’s around two feet off the ground.
Growing Coffee Plant Indoors
Now that you know how to grow your coffee plant indoors, it’s time to get started! First off, you’ll need to find the best place to grow your plant. Ideally, this should be a place that receives plenty of sunlight and isn’t directly by a window. Furthermore, make sure that you give your plant plenty of room. Generally, you should be able to fit two coffee plants next to each other in an 18-square-foot area.
Now that you have the planting spot all set up, it’s time to get planting! All you need to do is remove the soil from the planting spot, add a little bit of fertilizer, and then replace the soil. When planting your coffee, you’ll want to make sure to plant the seeds 1-2 inches deep and cover them up with soil.