Coffee Growing Guide
Tropical shrub producing coffee beans. Arabica is the most widely grown species.
Growing Conditions
Soil Requirements
Soil Type & pH
Best soil types: volcanic loam, sandy loam, loam
pH range: 4.5 - 6.5 (optimal: 5.5)
Drainage: excellent
Nutrient Needs (N-P-K)
Planting Guide
Yield & Economics
Common Pests & Diseases
Common Pests
- Coffee berry borer
- Coffee leaf miner
- Green scale
- Root-knot nematode
- Antestia bug
Common Diseases
- Coffee leaf rust
- Coffee berry disease
- Fusarium wilt
- Brown eye spot
- Root rot
Use to identify issues early and prevent crop losses.
Growing Tips
Grow Arabica at 1000-2000 m elevation for premium quality — altitude slows cherry maturation, producing denser beans with more complex flavors.
Establish shade trees (Inga, Grevillea, Erythrina) before planting coffee — 40-60% shade cover reduces stress, extends cherry ripening, and supports biodiversity.
Monitor for coffee leaf rust (Hemileia vastatrix) during warm, humid weather — copper-based fungicides applied preventively before the rainy season are most effective.
Prune to maintain a single-stem or multi-stem system — remove vertical suckers and exhausted primary branches to keep production on vigorous 2-3 year old wood.
Harvest only fully ripe (red/yellow) cherries by selective hand-picking — unripe or overripe cherries dramatically reduce cup quality and price premiums.
Apply organic mulch (coffee pulp, grass cuttings) 10-15 cm deep around the drip line to maintain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and recycle nutrients.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Coffee take to grow?
Coffee typically takes 1095 days from planting to harvest. Seeds germinate in about 60 days. The best planting season is spring, early summer.
What soil does Coffee need?
Coffee grows best in volcanic loam, sandy loam, loam soil with a pH of 4.5-6.5. Excellent drainage is required.
What temperature does Coffee need?
Coffee grows best at 18-25°C. Frost tolerance: none. Heat tolerance: low.
What is the expected yield for Coffee?
Coffee yields approximately 2,000 kg green beans/hectare under good conditions.
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