Customer Reviews

Hirt's Arabica Coffee Bean Plant - 4" pot - Grow & Brew Your Own

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I ordered two of these for my boyfriend for Christmas '09. They arrived very quickly, and were packed very well: In individual cardboard boxes with little packing peanuts all around to cushion them. The containers they were grown in were taped well to prevent the dirt from spilling out. They came with a photocopied information sheet, but no real instructions on how to make them really thrive. One thing that impressed me was that I know they were delivered early in the day on a very snowy, below freezing day, and they sat outside by the front door until I got home later that night. I was afraid they were going to be ruined, but they were packed so well that they popped out looking fresh and perfect.
Anyway, we've had them for a couple of months now, and have repotted them, using "Tropical Plant" potting mix. I guess I should mention that they had some brownish spots on some of the leaves, which turned out to be "scale", and we had to pinch off about a third of the leaves on each plant. Since we have no other houseplants, I assume these came with the "scale", but it was easily removed, and the plants have recovered and sprouted many, many new leaves. They are about an inch taller and much fuller than when they arrived.
Coffee plants are tropical, and usually grow in the shade of other plants, so diffused, very indirect sunlight(almost shade) has been best for them, in a room that stays about 70 degrees. We've kept the plants moist, and have fed them once with general purpose houseplant food. I'd say that they are thriving and looking better every day. I hope we get to see some coffee beans on them, but they are really beautiful plants, just how they are. They have lovely medium green foliage, and the new leaves are a bright and shiny apple green.
I have talked to the horticulturist at the Crohn Conservatory here in Cincinnati, and she gave me a lot of tips on how to care for them which have obviously worked. Since this isn't a usual houseplant here, I'd say do some research before you buy these and expect to have them grow beans. We almost lost them to "scale", and had no idea.

I bought these early this summer. I just got one, which came as a single pot containing a tangle of plants that were mostly 4" in height. I separated all the plants before potting them. Now, about six months later, I have about eight seedlings ranging from 4" to nearly a foot in height. I haven't found any health problems with them, though one turns yellow when it's brought inside my dim apartment -- sort of odd, since all of the others have been fine indoors.

Care notes:

I have done nothing special with my plants -- they are in regular Miracle-Gro brand potting mix, in terracotta or well-drained plastic pots with a bit of styrofoam or drainage rock at the bottom. They loved the rainy Atlanta summer and fall; I never added water unless they started to look limp. When I water them indoors, I let the water flow through the dirt several times so that the dirt is soaked. I want the soil to stay moist for several days, but I don't want a bog. Keep the plants' native climate in mind, and you'll do fine.

They're clearly sensitive to cold -- they droop dramatically when exposed to weather below about 40F, so I've moved them inside as needed. (Do keep them out of reach of cats. They're not poisonous like poinsettias, but you do NOT want to be cracked in the shin by a fast-moving caffeinated feline. Trust me on that.)

To those who think they'll be able to harvest coffee from these things: Um, no. It takes ten years for a coffea arabica to produce fruit, and even then, you won't get much. And by the time that happens, it'll be six or eight feet tall. You aren't buying a fruit tree here. You're buying a beautiful houseplant and conversation piece. Enjoy it for what it is. There are plenty of places to buy fresh coffee.

I was also pleased when this plant arrived. I have had it for a few months now, and it grows slowly and steadily. Very attractive plant, that you can leave in the kitchen window, and spritz with water every few days. I think it would also make a great gift, because who'd ever think to go to a nursery and buy a coffee plant? It makes a great addition to the kitchen or any room. I have not seen the red buds on mine yet, but am hopeful.

The plant showed up in great shape and didn't wilt or anything when I switched it to a different pot. I am known for my black thumb of death and this tough little guy didn't even flinch during it's two week stay with me before it went onto a friend as a gift.

I bought 3 plants as a package from this seller in February of 2009: the coffee, olive, and dwarf banana trees. The coffee plant was in the worst shape in the beginning but now it is the only one that is still alive:) It arrived with dry brown and yellow spots on its leaves which I read can be due to the lack of nutrients, in particular copper, in the soil. So, I just re-potted the plant into some fresh soil and cut off the damaged leaves. Since then the plant's been doing fine. I can notice that it does not like to be watered too often but does prefer humid surroundings, so spraying some water around it once in a while will make the plant happier:)

After losing two hibiscus plants to insects, I decided to stick with indoor plants in my apartment. I had a coffee tree years ago that grew to be taller than I - indoors in Seattle. That tree produced beans. I had never ordered a plant for myself online. Ordering from Hirt's was a breeze and my future coffee tree arrived sooner than expected. I've followed Hirt's instructions. My plant/tree is actually composed of several stems. It is doing fine in indirect light, which is the key to success with coffee trees. Too little sun or too much direct sun will simply kill a coffee tree. Other than lighting, if you don't over water, your tree with grow nicely. Coffee tree leaves are a rich, shiny green. Don't hesitate to order from Hirt's. Later in the year, I'll probably order something else from Hirt's because they seem to really value customers and they send you a more than healthy plant.

Received in EXCELLENT condition - especially considering it's the middle of January and the package sat on my porch for at least 4 hours in subfreezing temperatures. I can't believe how good this plant looks! It even came in a pot! I've ordered plants by mail before this is the first company who sent the plant in a pot, usually it's a bag of dirt.

I am very very pleased. I will order many many more products from Hirt's Gardens.

The plant looks great. It has 7 shoots and the leaves look healthy and are a nice medium green color. I ordered this as a christmas gift and it arrived quicker than I expected. It was carefully packaged and looks very nice, despite being in a box for days. The box was on it's side in the mailbox, but the soil was taped so hardly any fell out. I am at a lower elevation than is recommended for optimum growth, so hopefully it will live. My boyfriend has seen it already (it was hard to hid a new plant in our house) and he was so excited. It's a thoughtful and unique gift for gardeners who also love coffee. He was surprised because he never even thought about the actual coffee plant. The plant is wonderful.

I am very happy with the plant I received and the way it was sent. My only complaint is that there were no instructions at all! I did e-mail the company to try to get some, but haven't heard back from them yet. Nevertheless, the plant was very healthy and I am happy with it.

I ordered 2 pots of this coffee plant about a week ago. At first, I wasn't happy at the shipping and handling cost. However, I had read the product description where it said there would be multiple plants in each pot, so I thought I would get a few extra plants and that would be ok. They arrived yeaterday, and to my shock, one pot had over 10 plants! I was thrilled! I couldn't believe it! That more than made up for that extra shipping and handling cost. I don't know if they will live out the season once I get ahold of them, but they all look very healthy and disease free, so far.