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Coffea arabica
Rubiaceae FAMILY

Coffea arabica

Coffea arabica

Edibility
3/5
Medicinal
3/5

Safety & Hazards

The seeds contain chlorogenic acid, which is a known allergen[1].

Cultivation Details

HabitEvergreen Shrub
GrowthMedium

In equatorial regions, the plant can be grown at elevations from 1,300 to 2,800 metres, with 1,500 - 1,900 metres being most common. The minimum elevation reduces to about 500 metres at a latitude around 15°N or S, whilst in the subtropics it can be grown from sea level to 1,000 metres[2]. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 14 - 28°c, but can tolerate 10 - 34°c[2]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,400 - 2,300mm, but tolerates 750 - 4,200mm[2]. With too much rainfall the plant tends to develop wood at the expense of flowers and fruits[2]. One to 2 months of less than 50mm rain facilitates uniform flowering. Heavy rain during and after harvest is not desirable[2]. Prefers a position in light shade[3]. Shading improves leaf and shoot growth but reduces root growth[4]. Prefers a deep friable soil on undulating land[4]. Plants are unsuited to stiff clay or sandy soils, but are considered tolerant of acid soils[4]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 7, tolerating 4.3 - 8.4[2]. Plants can begin to bear within 2 - 3 years and are in full bearing at the age of 6 - 8 years[2]. The optimum yield of clean dry coffee beans is 2- 3 tonnes/ha, which has been obtained in Kenya. The average yields are about 0.5 tonnes/ha in Brazil and 0.9 tonnes/ha in Africa[2]. Coffee plants can produce economic yields for 30 - 40 years on average, though this can vary from 10 - 70 years and plants of 80 - 100 years are known[2]. The plant is tetraploid, and over 30 mutations have been recognized[4]. In the bisexual flowers, pollen is shed shortly after the flower opens, and the stigma is receptive immediately. Self-pollination can occur, as seed sets even when the flowers are bagged[4]. Pollination is also by honeybees, which collect nectar and pollen from the flowers[4].

Propagation

Propagation is usually by seed. The optimum temperature for the germination of coffee seeds is about 30 - 32°c, below 10°c germination is very slow[2]. The viability of the seeds is comparatively short, depending upon conditions, and it is advisable to plant within 2 months of harvesting. The older the seeds, the longer they take to germinate and they lose viability. They can be planted with the parchment attached but germination is quicker when it is removed[4]. Seedlings can be raised in shaded nurseries, planting them out into their permanent positions when 6 - 12 months old[4]. Layering Air layering Budding. For rooting of coffee cuttings, the single leaf-bud cutting is commonly used[4]. Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2026-02-20. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Coffea+arabica>

Pollinators

Bees, Self

References

  1. [1]Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. — Bown. D. · Dorling Kindersley, London. · 1995 · ISBN 0-7513-020-31 ↩︎A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.
  2. [2]Ecocrop — http://ecocrop.fao.org/ecocrop/srv/en/home ↩︎Basic information on a wide range of useful plants, plus details of environmental needs where available.
  3. [3]Tropical and Subtropical Trees - A Worldwide Encyclopaedic Guide. — Barwick. M. · Thames & Hudson, London · 2004 · ISBN 0-500-51181-0 ↩︎A superb book, very concise and well written, giving a wealth of information on 400 or more species including descriptions, habitat, cultivation details and plant uses. A wealth of colour photographs bring each plant vividly to life.
  4. [4]World Agroforesty Centre — http://www.worldagroforestry.org/ ↩︎An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
  5. [5]Common Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands — Little E.L.; Wadsworth F.H. · USDA, Forest Service; Washington. · 1964 ↩︎Contains detailed information, and usually an illustration, on 250 tree species, including both native and exotic species.
  6. [6]The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. — Huxley. A. · MacMillan Press · 1992 · ISBN 0-333-47494-5 ↩︎Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
  7. [7]Cornucopia II — Facciola. S. · Kampong Publications, California. · 1998 · ISBN 0-9628087-2-5 ↩︎The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
  8. [8]Edible Leaves of the Tropics — Martin. F. W.; Ruberte. R. M. & Meitzner. L. S. · Echo. USA. · 1998 · ISBN 0-9653360-1-8 ↩︎A terse guide, giving reasonable detail on the more common leaf crops and brief information on a wide range of lesser known plants.
  9. [9]The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants — Chevallier. A. · Dorling Kindersley. London · 1996 · ISBN 9-780751-303148 ↩︎An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.