Tips for Growing Arabica Coffee at Home
When you think of coffee production, images of tropical mountain ranges in Brazil, Colombia, Vietnam or Hawaii probably come to mind.
But did you know that we can grow coffee right here in Southern California?
It’s true!
I have been growing several Arabica coffee plants in my Zone 10b backyard for a few years now, and they are thriving. ☕
Now, I will be the first to tell you that I probably won’t ever grow a large enough volume to harvest, dry, roast, and grind for my morning cup of coffee.
The time, space, and specialized equipment investment required to process your own coffee beans is not something I want to undertake, but you may want to.
Instead, my plants serve a completely different, incredibly delicious purpose: backyard snacking! 🧺
Snacking on Fresh Coffee Cherries
Most people don’t realize that coffee beans are actually the seeds found inside a little fruit called a coffee cherry.
While the beans get all the fame, the surrounding fruit is a tasty treat when eaten fresh right off the branch.
When the cherries turn red, they are ripe and ready to pick.
The red skin is thick and pleasantly chewy, while the inner flesh is sweet, slightly floral, and has a texture very similar to a fresh longan or lychee.
Inside each cherry, you will find the two familiar coffee beans.
When snacking in the garden, we simply enjoy the sweet flesh and spit the beans out.
Because they are coffee fruits, the cherries do contain a bit of natural caffeine, so it’s a good idea to be mindful of that when snacking.
I love to grab a few for a quick, refreshing, and energizing treat when I’m in the yard. 🍒
Creating the Perfect Shade Environment
I originally added coffee to my garden landscape simply because I thought it would be a fun experiment.
I also specifically needed beautiful, productive plants that could handle a shadier microclimate next to the house.
We often hear about premium “shade-grown coffee” from high-end roasters, and that is what I had in mind.
My plants are tucked into a sheltered, mostly shaded area of the property that receives just a bit of filtered sunlight on sunny days.
This spot keeps them protected from our intense, drying Southern California winds and the harsh midday sun.
The coffee is happy in this location, staying lush, glossy, and green all year round.
They are gorgeous landscape plants on their own, but they become stunning showstoppers when the branches are lined with bright red fruit. 🌿
Varieties and Low-Maintenance Care
I currently grow three different varieties of Arabica coffee:
All three types are exceptionally healthy, and the fruit tastes equally sweet and delicious across the board.
The best part?
They are remarkably easy to care for.
The plants feature sturdy, upright growth that requires absolutely no staking or extra support.
I haven’t run into any issues with pests, making them a very hands-off crop.
When I first planted them a few years ago, I amended the soil with a bit of mealworm frass, and I honestly haven’t had to fertilize them since.
They just keep happily producing year after year with standard watering.
If you have a sheltered, shady nook in your garden that needs some love, I recommend experimenting with a few Arabica coffee plants.
They take very little effort, look beautiful in every season, and provide a unique, caffeinated garden-to-mouth treat that will definitely surprise your friends and family! 🌳
The Garden Index 🗂️
Coffee
Figs
Squash
Sugarcane
Garden Books 📚
- Old Farmer’s Almanac Vegetable Gardener’s Handbook
- The Productive Garden
- Ripe Tomato Revolution
- The Thrifty Gardener
🧺 More from Mama Likes To Cook
Coffee Drink Recipes
- Eggnog Iced Coffee
- Warm Mocha Smoothie with Protein & Oats
- Vegan Chocolate Hazelnut Coffee
- Make Ahead Mocha Smoothie Pack
- Vegan Chestnut Praline Latte
- Easy Vegan Chocolate Hazelnut Coffee
- Chocolate Truffle Coffee
- Spiked Coffee Cocktail
- Pumpkin Spice Irish Coffee Cocktail
Coffee Food Recipes
- Vietnamese Coffee Popsicles
- Cold Brew Chocolate Mint Popsicles
- Coffee Pumpkin Bread
- Cold Brew Mocha Popsicles
What are you inspired to do today?
