Dwarf Coffee Tree (Coffea arabica "Caturra") | seeds, 10 pcs.

• Latin name: Coffea arabica "Caturra"
• Danish names: Dværgkaffe, dværg kaffetræ, dværg kaffeplante, ægte dværgkaffe
  
• English names: Dwarf coffea arabica, arabic dwarf coffee
  

- Grow your own coffee without needing much space!

Coffea arabica ‘Caturra’ is a compact and low-growing variant of the classic coffee species Coffea arabica. The variety was originally discovered in Brazil in the early 1900s as a natural mutation of the traditional Bourbon coffee and has since become popular in many coffee-producing regions.

What particularly characterizes ‘Caturra’ is its more compact and bushy growth, shorter internodes, and denser leaf arrangement. This makes the plant particularly suitable for cultivation in pots and smaller spaces. The foliage is glossy, dark green, and decorative, and the plant eventually develops small, white flowers with an intense fragrance reminiscent of jasmine. It is said that it can begin to bloom at a height of just 30 cm.

After flowering, red coffee cherries can form, which contain the well-known coffee beans. In nature and on coffee plantations, the variety is valued for its good productivity and relatively compact size.

Cultivation and requirements

Coffea arabica ‘Caturra’ thrives best in a bright location with light shade, as coffee plants naturally grow in forest environments with filtered light. It prefers:

• humus-rich, well-drained, and slightly acidic soil
• even watering during the growing season
• high humidity
• stable temperatures

The plant is not frost tolerant. In Denmark, it is grown as an indoor or potted plant, where it can be placed outdoors during the summer and overwintered in a bright, frost-free location. The temperature should preferably be kept above 12–15 °C.

The compact growth makes ‘Caturra’ particularly suitable for container culture, and the plant can easily be kept in shape through light pruning.

Cultivation from seed

Coffee seeds quickly lose their viability and should therefore be sown as fresh as possible. For best results, it is recommended to:

• soak the seeds in lukewarm water for 24 hours
• sow in a light, humus-rich, and well-drained soil mix
• maintain a temperature of 22–28 °C
• keep the soil evenly moist, but not wet

Germination typically occurs after 4–8 weeks, but can take longer. The young plants grow slowly at first and gradually develop their characteristic bushy shape.

Utility and collector value

Coffea arabica ‘Caturra’ is a well-known coffee variety in coffee production, but in container culture, it is grown primarily as an ornamental and collector plant. Its compact growth makes it particularly attractive for those who wish to grow a coffee plant at home without needing a large tree.

Although seedlings rarely reach full coffee production in a pot, it is a fascinating experience to grow your own coffee plant from scratch and follow its development from germination to flowering.

Coffea arabica ‘Caturra’ is an obvious choice for plant enthusiasts who want a compact and decorative coffee plant with great botanical and cultural history – perfect for cultivation in a pot or conservatory.

- Also available in a non-dwarf version