Garden Blog - Top Tropicals

What is the most popular and easiest tropical fruit tree to grow indoors?

No doubt about it - it's the Coffee Tree.

Coffee is shade-loving and easy to grow with regular water
It grows into a dark green shrub or small tree (about 3 to 5 feet tall in a pot)
Its fragrant, star-shaped flowers resemble gardenias
The whole fruit is edible and turns green to yellow to red
The seeds are real "coffee beans" that can be dried, roasted, and ground at home.

Light: Bright, indirect light is best. Avoid harsh afternoon sun.
Water: Keep soil lightly moist but not soggy. Let the top inch dry out before watering again.
Humidity: Loves higher humidity. Mist regularly or place on a pebble tray.
Fertilizer: Use a balanced, gentle fertilizer like Sunshine Boosters C-Cibus every few weeks during growing season.
Soil: Loose, rich, and well-drained. High in organic matter and slightly acidic. For potted plants, use a quality indoor tropical mix, such as Top Tropicals Abundance mix
Repotting: Refresh soil and size up the pot every 1–2 years to keep roots healthy.
Can I grow it outdoors?: Yes - bring it outside in warm months and back indoors before frost. It's best suited for USDA zones 10-11, but container growing gives you flexibility in cooler climates.
How long until I get beans?: Expect flowers and fruit within 3 to 4 years from seedling stage - often sooner if you start with a young tree.
What does the fruit taste like?: Mild and sweet-tart, like a mix between a cherry and a cranberry. You can eat it fresh.

Harvest: Pick the ripe red cherries
Pop and Soak: Squeeze out the beans and ferment 1-2 days to remove pulp
Dry: Spread out to dry for 1-2 weeks until hard and papery
Husk: Remove the thin shell to reveal green beans
Roast: Use a dry skillet or oven until fragrant
Grind and Brew: Cool, grind, and enjoy the freshest coffee you've ever had.
Learn more: How to make your own coffee from homegrown beans