Plant Profile: Coffea arabica

A compact, upright evergreen shrub or small tree, this plant thrives in tropical regions. In temperate areas, it is often cultivated as a houseplant, requiring well-draining potting soil. Indoors, it flourishes in bright light and high humidity, while outdoors, it prefers some partial shade. It should be planted in soil that is rich in organic matter and well-drained. After three to four years, you can expect to see small, fragrant white flowers blooming from late spring to early summer. Older branches develop fissured bark. The berries produced are edible and have a pulpy texture similar to grapes, but the real prize lies in the seeds, commonly known as coffee beans. These berries are hand-harvested when ripe, de-pulped, and the seeds are then sun-dried before being roasted and ground to create the beloved beverage, coffee.