Arabica coffee Coffea arabica
Arabica coffee (Coffea arabica) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Rubiaceae family, native to Highland forests of south-west Ethiopia. It grows 2–3.5 m (6.6–11 ft) tall and 1.5–2.5 m (4.9–8.2 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about 1 °C (34 °F). Space plants about 2 m (6.6 ft) apart.
Plan Arabica coffee in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Arabica coffee at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Rubiaceae |
| Mature height | 2–3.5 m (6.6–11 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1.5–2.5 m (4.9–8.2 ft) |
| Spacing | 2 m (6.6 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5–6.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 1 °C (34 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 30 °C (86 °F) |
| Flowering | about 104–157 weeks after planting, for 2–9 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | None |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: seeds (roasted beans), fruit pulp (cascara) |
| Native to | Highland forests of south-west Ethiopia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇵🇪 Peru, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇪🇹 Ethiopia, 🇨🇴 Colombia |
Is Arabica coffee toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: moderately toxic
- Dogs: moderately toxic
- Parts: seeds, fruit, leaves
Caffeine and related alkaloids cause restlessness, a fast heartbeat and tremors in pets and, in large doses, in people.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Arabica coffee
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
See Arabica coffee in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- UC Botanical Garden, Berkeley (2 plants)
- Gardens by the Bay (3 plants)
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden (2 plants)
- Kew: glasshouses and rock garden (3 plants)
Questions about Arabica coffee
- How far apart should I plant Arabica coffee?
- About 2 m (6.6 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1.5–2.5 m (4.9–8.2 ft).
- Does Arabica coffee need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Arabica coffee need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Arabica coffee?
- It tolerates about 1 °C (34 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10.
- When does Arabica coffee flower?
- About 104–157 weeks after planting, for 2–9 weeks.
- Is Arabica coffee poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is moderately toxic; for dogs moderately toxic; for people mildly toxic. Caffeine and related alkaloids cause restlessness, a fast heartbeat and tremors in pets and, in large doses, in people.
- What grows well with Arabica coffee?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Arabica coffee. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
- EcoCrop crop environmental requirements, FAO
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- Southern hemisphere season (GDD counted from 1 July). Best at 18–24 °C with light shade; frost kills the shoots at about −2 °C. Self-fertile, but bees raise yield.
- Flowering follows the first rains after a dry spell; berries ripen 7–9 months later.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Gardenia Gardenia jasminoides
- Sweet woodruff Galium odoratum
- Jungle geranium (ixora) Ixora coccinea
- Kadam Neolamarckia cadamba
- Taupata (mirror bush) Coprosma repens
- Tiare (Tahitian gardenia) Gardenia taitensis
- Mussaenda (Doña Aurora) Mussaenda philippica
- Genipap (huito, jagua) Genipa americana