Bengal coffee Plant Care

Bengal coffee (Coffea benghalensis) belongs to the Rubiaceae family within the Coffea genus. Bengal coffee is native to India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal. Bengal coffee is also known as Bengalensis coffee.

Bengal coffee displays an upright, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Bengal coffee produces fragrant white flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Bengal coffee every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Bengal coffee thrives in bright indirect to partial shade. Avoid placing Bengal coffee in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Coffea benghalensis tolerates temperatures of 60–70°F. Bengal coffee prefers humidity levels of 50–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Well-draining, acidic soil with high organic matter content. Good drainage is essential for Bengal coffee to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Bengal coffee every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with bright indirect to partial shade and well-draining, acidic soil with high organic matter content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Bengal coffee is suited to USDA Zone 10a – 11b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Bengal coffee can spread to about 4 ft (1.2 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 4 ft (1.2 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Bengal coffee while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Bengal coffee is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 10). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Bengal coffee can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to coffee plant plant care, which shares the same genus.

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Bengal coffee is susceptible to aphids, whiteflies, coffee leaf rust. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Bengal coffee grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10a. Bengal coffee is native to India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal. In cooler regions, grow Bengal coffee as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.