Coffee Plant
Coffea arabica — The Coffee-Lover's Office Plant
Light
Medium to bright indirect — east-facing windows are ideal. Direct afternoon sun can scorch the thin leaves. Too little light causes leggy, sparse growth.
Water
Does not tolerate drought well — leaf edges brown and curl when too dry. Sensitive to chlorine and fluoride; use filtered water if possible.
Humidity
Prefers moderate to high humidity. Leaf edges brown in dry winter heating.
Temperature
18–27°C (65–80°F). Keep away from cold drafts and heating vents.
Difficulty
Moderate
Sizes
Tabletop · Mid-floor · Floor specimen
Coffee Plant, Coffea arabica, is a bushy, upright shrub with glossy, dark green leaves that have a slightly corrugated texture. Given several years in good conditions, mature plants can produce fragrant white flowers followed by small berries, though most office specimens are kept simply for their foliage.
In the Office
This plant does best near an east-facing window, where it gets medium to bright indirect light without the harsh scorch of direct afternoon sun. It's sensitive to temperature swings, so keep it away from exterior doors and HVAC vents. In too little light, it turns leggy and sparse rather than staying full and bushy.
Why Choose This Plant
Benefits for Your Office
- Glossy, textured foliage gives desks and shelves a lush, tropical look
- Given the right conditions over a few years, it can flower and produce small berries — a genuine conversation piece
- Non-toxic to cats and dogs as a plant, a plus for pet-friendly offices
- Responds well to pinching and light pruning, so it's easy to keep full and bushy rather than sparse
Where to Place It
Office Placement Ideas
- 1
Desks or shelving near an east-facing window — gets the medium to bright indirect light it needs without direct afternoon scorch
- 2
Breakout spaces with good natural light — the glossy foliage and eventual flowers make a nice focal point where people sit
- 3
Away from exterior doors and HVAC vents — it's sensitive to temperature swings, and drops below 15°C (59°F) cause leaf drop
How to Care for It
Care Tips for Office Environments
- Pinch growing tips regularly to encourage branching and a fuller shape
- Prune leggy stems back to a node in spring
- Remove yellowed lower leaves as the plant grows upward
- Mist regularly during heating season — dry air brings spider mites and browning leaf edges
Want Coffee Plant in your office?
Our team will recommend the right variety and size for your space, deliver and install it, and keep it thriving with ongoing care.