The coffee plant is actually a pretty low-maintenance roommate, though it definitely has a “tropical soul” and loves to stay warm. Since it’s not frost-hardy at all, you’ll need to provide a cozy winter sanctuary for it. The good news? Compared to other tropical plants, coffee plants are surprisingly chill during the winter months.
The Perfect Spot
One of the best things about coffee plants is that they thrive in the same temperatures we do. They love staying between 60°F and 72°F, which means your living room is actually a perfect winter home for them. Just make sure they get plenty of light—a south-facing window within that temperature range is the gold standard.
If you’re lucky enough to have a sunroom or conservatory, that works too! Just keep a close eye on the humidity. Sunrooms can get a bit dry in the winter, so you’ll want to mist your plant occasionally to keep it from drying out.
Watering Tips
When it comes to watering your coffee plant in the winter, less is more. You want to keep the soil consistently moist, but never soggy. These plants are also a bit picky about their water—they hate cold “feet” and aren’t fans of hard tap water (high lime content). Rainwater is the best choice, but I know that’s hard to come by when things are freezing outside.
Here’s a pro tip: If your tap water is hard, boil it and let it sit overnight. The lime will settle at the bottom, and you can carefully pour off the “clean” water to use for your plant.
Regardless of your water source, never use it straight from the tap in winter. Let it sit out at least overnight so it reaches room temperature. Your plant will thank you!
Fertilizing and Care
As soon as the outdoor temps dip below 60°F, it’s time to bring your coffee plant inside. This is also your cue to stop the regular fertilizing schedule for the season.
If you notice your plant developing yellow or brown leaves during the winter, don’t panic! Sometimes the soil is actually *too* nutrient-rich for its dormant phase. Even though we usually wait until spring to repot, if your plant is struggling, you might want to move it into a slightly leaner soil mix to help it get through the rest of the season.
