When it comes to keeping your coffee plant happy, the secret is all in the water. These tropical beauties are a bit picky about what they drink, but once you get the hang of it, it’s smooth sailing. Plus, watering time is the perfect opportunity to give your plant a little nutritional boost with some liquid fertilizer.
Water Quality
In their native tropical homes, coffee plants aren’t used to much lime or calcium in the soil. Because of this, they can be pretty sensitive to mineral buildup. If you want your plant to thrive, you’ll want to avoid harsh mineral fertilizers altogether.
The gold standard for coffee plants is rainwater. If you can’t collect any, low-calcium tap water works too. However, if your local tap water is “hard” (full of lime), your plant won’t be a fan. In that case, try running your water through a filter first or boiling it and letting it cool to help the lime settle out.
Frequency and Amount
Whether you’re keeping your coffee plant as a year-round houseplant or just bringing it inside to escape the winter chill, consistency is key. Indoor air tends to be pretty dry, and if a coffee plant dries out too much, you’ll start seeing those dreaded crispy, brown leaves.
So, how often should you water? It really depends on how warm your home is—the warmer the room, the faster the water evaporates. You want the soil to stay moderately moist at all times. It’s okay if the very top layer feels dry, but the roots should never be sitting in bone-dry dirt.
The best way to check is the “finger test.” Just stick your finger into the soil; if it feels dry past your first knuckle, it’s time for a drink. If it’s still damp down there, you’re good for another day or two.
Feeding While You Water
Coffee plants have a big appetite, and they prefer a liquid fertilizer mixed right into their water every three to four weeks. Liquid fertilizer is great because it gets to the roots fast, ensuring your plant gets a steady stream of the nutrients it needs to grow those glossy green leaves.
During the winter, you can usually dial things back a bit. If your plant isn’t currently growing berries, you can skip the fertilizer and water slightly less often. However, if you’re lucky enough to have a plant that’s fruiting, keep up with a light feeding schedule. For most of us, we stop fertilizing in late fall and start adding it back into the routine around March when the growing season kicks off again.
