Arabica coffee shrub (Coffea arabica) 5 seeds

Origin and description of coffee shrub
The coffee shrub, Coffea arabica in Latin, is a plant native to subtropical areas and is now often kept as a showy houseplant, with a life span of at least 3 years. Its leaves have a wavy, oval edge and very deep veins. It can grow to about 20-100 cm tall.

Care and requirements of coffee shrubs
Its care is not difficult, if given the important requirements it can produce interesting white and fragrant flowers around May.

Light requirements
It prefers bright places, but do not place it in hot sun, as this can cause it to die, nor in too dark a place, as its leaves may fall off. In summer it can be placed outdoors in a sunny, semi-shady place, such as a balcony.

Heat requirements of coffee shrubs
It does not have high temperature requirements, just that it does not like cold. In winter, don't let the temperature around it drop below 15 degrees Celsius, as it will drop its leaves if it gets below that.

Water requirements of Coffea arabica
It doesn't have a high water requirement, just be careful not to flood it. Keep the soil slightly moist and do not let it dry out.

Fertilizing coffee shrubs
During its active growth period, outside the winter, it should be regularly fertilised to encourage its rapid development. If you fertilize it 1-2 times a month, mixed with water at the right dilution, it will receive the right amount of nutrients.

Transplanting and propagating coffee shrubs
Transplanting:
Transplanting is necessary when the plant outgrows the pot. If this is necessary, it should preferably be done between February and March. Do not disturb the plant very much after that.

The plant prefers general potting soil that is loose and peaty.

Propagation:
Coffee shrub can be propagated in two ways, by cuttings and by sowing seeds.

Coffee shrub cuttings:
Cut young shoots from the mother plant, remove the lower leaves and place in water and add a little nutrient solution. After a little while, the first roots will appear, then put them in pots in good permeable and nutrient-rich soil.

Propagating coffee shrubs from seed:
Another method is propagation from seed. In this case, sow at the end of February, when temperatures of about 15-18 degrees Celsius have set in, and in about 2-3 weeks you will notice a noticeable growth. Sow the seeds in moist soil, a few inches deep, covered with a medium amount of soil. Cover the pot and place in a warm, bright place.

More about growing coffee shrubs from seed:
Coffee plant diseases, pests and control
Common problems include browning of the edges of the leaves, this can be caused by too much sunlight, simply place in a shady spot. If the leaves start to wilt it is caused by too high temperatures, try to move it to an area where it is a little cooler. The leaves of the coffee plant will start to fade if it gets too little nutrients, you can counteract this by simply adding nutrient solutions. Leaf drop is most common and is the result of the plant getting too little light, so move it to a brighter spot.

Leaf edge browning - too much sunlight.
Leaf drying - high temperatures.
Faded leaves - low nutrients.
Leaves falling off - low sunlight.
Pests that can attack are shield mites and spider mites, use insecticides to control them.