How to Propagate Coffea Arabica

There are three ways that you can propagate a Coffea Arabica you have cared for: by seed, or cuttings, or air layering (rooting branches from the parent plant). To propagate a coffee plant by seed, you can either take a seed from an existing plant or purchase seeds to grow. This post will cover how to grow a tree from seed and how to propagate a cutting:

You can grow your own coffee plants from seeds if you have a handful of recently harvested green coffee or coffee cherries available. To propagate a coffee three through seed, complete the following:

1. Step 1

   While it isn’t always necessary, it is a good idea to pre-germinate your seeds before planting them. Soak them for 24 hours before planting.

2. Step 2

   After you have soaked your seeds, sow them in pre-prepared vermiculite or sand. Make sure to water (and drain the soil) ahead of time. You can also place the seeds between coffee sacks. Water the seeds twice a day and allow the water to drain. It could take up to 4 months for your seeds to germinate (a little longer if they are older seeds).

3. Step 3

   When the seeds have germinated, carefully transplant them to a friable loam soil that contains a lot of humus. You can also add other ingredients (such as bone meal and manure) to the mix. Using your finger or a tool, create a hole that is about 1/2 inch deep, place the germinated seed flat-side down, then carefully cover the seed with soil, without pressing down on it.

4. Step 4

   Water the seeds every day, ensuring that the soil remains moist, but not wet. It should drain well. Giving your seeds too much (or too little) water could kill them.

5. Step 5

   When it comes time to transplant your coffee plants, carefully remove them from their previous soil and place them in a high in nitrogen, porous soil with a low pH. Add an orchid fertilizer sparingly (if you wish), but make sure that the soil is low in acidity.

To propagate from a cutting, you will need to follow these steps:

1. Step 1

   Take cuttings from the parent plant in early summer (the best time to propagate the coffee tree). Each cutting should be between 8 to 10 inches long. Look for branches that are healthy and thriving to give yourself the best chances.

2. Step 2

   Remove the leaves from each cutting, only keeping 2-3 at the end (the upper tip). While you don’t need to use a rooting agent, the hormones can help it root faster.

3. Step 3

   Stick each cutting into pots of soilless potting mix. Keep the mix slightly moist over the next several days. Check it often to ensure that it doesn’t need to be watered.

4. Step 4

   You will know when roots have formed on the ends of each cutting when you feel resistance when you gently pull on them. Nurture them until they grow larger.

5. Step 5

   Once the plant has taken proper root and has begun to grow again, transplant it to an appropriate pot or plant it in your garden.