Colombian Coffee Plant Morphology: Species & Growth Traits

If you’ve ever wondered what the coffee plant used to grow your favorite Colombian beans actually looks like—its height, leaves, flowers, and cherries—this article breaks down the exact physical traits of Colombia’s primary coffee species. This isn’t about flavor profiles or brewing methods, but the biology behind the beans you roast and brew.

Colombia’s commercial coffee crop is dominated by Coffea arabica, specifically the small or ‘typical’ variety. The coffee plants are small trees or large shrubs, typically 5 to 8 meters tall, with distinct leaf, flower, and fruit structures that influence cultivation and processing.

What Species of Coffee Grows in Colombia?

The primary coffee species cultivated in Colombia is Coffea arabica, commonly referred to as 'small coffee' or Typica-like arabica. This is the species responsible for the vast majority of Colombian coffee production and exports.

Plant Structure: Size, Branching, and Trunk Traits

Coffee plants in Colombia grow as small trees or large shrubs, reaching heights of 5 to 8 meters. The base of the plant typically features multiple branches. Older branches are grayish-white in color with swollen nodes, while younger branches are smooth (not hairy) and flattened in cross-section. These structural traits affect how the plants are pruned and harvested.

Leaf Characteristics: Shape, Size, and Texture

The leaves are thin and leathery (thinly leathery), shaped either oval with a tapered tip (ovate-lanceolate) or simply lanceolate. They measure 6 to 14 centimeters in length and 3.5 to 5 centimeters in width. The leaf tip comes to a long, gradual point (10 to 15 mm long), and the base is wedge-shaped or slightly blunt, rarely rounded. Edges are smooth (entire) or have shallow waves, with no hairs on either side. Some leaves show small pits in the vein axils on the underside. The central leaf vein protrudes on both sides, and there are 7 to 13 side veins per side. Leaf stems (petioles) are 8 to 15 millimeters long. Leaf arrangement includes unique stipules: broad triangular ones on young upper branches, and pointed ones on older wood.

Flower Details: Aroma, Structure, and Anatomy

Coffee plants produce flowers in clusters (cymes) that grow in the leaf axils (leaf joints). Each cluster holds 2 to 5 individual flowers, which may have an extremely short or no main flower stem. The blooms are aromatic, with flower stems (pedicels) between 0.5 to 1 mm long. Sepals (calyx parts) come in two types: two broad triangular forms nearly equal in length and width, and two narrow, lanceolate forms twice as long as wide. The flower tube (calyx tube) is 2.5 to 3 mm long, with a flat or minimally toothed edge. The petals (corolla) are white, measuring roughly 10 to 18 mm in length, usually splitting into five lobes (rarely four or six), with lobes often longer than the tube. The reproductive parts extend beyond the petals: pollen-producing anthers (stamens) reach 6 to 8 mm out, and the style (female part) is 12 to 14 mm long with a two-lobed stigma (3 to 4 mm each).

Fruit (Cherry) Traits: Size, Color, and Seed Structure

The coffee fruit, or cherry, matures to a broad oval (elliptical) shape, turning bright red when ripe. Each cherry is 12 to 16 mm long and 10 to 12 mm in diameter. The outer skin is hard and leather-like, while the middle layer (mesocarp) is fleshy and sweet. Inside, the coffee seeds (beans) are 8 to 10 mm long and 5 to 7 mm in diameter. The bean’s back is convex (rounded outward) and the front is flat, featuring a longitudinal groove. These physical cherry and seed traits define how the coffee is processed and eventually roasted.

When Does Coffee Flower in Colombia?

In Colombia, coffee plants typically flower during the months of March and April. This seasonal bloom is critical for timing harvests later in the year.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main coffee species grown in Colombia?

The primary coffee species cultivated in Colombia is Coffea arabica, often referred to as 'small coffee' in local contexts. This species includes typical arabica varieties that form the backbone of the country’s coffee production.

How tall do coffee plants typically grow in Colombia?

Coffee plants in Colombia usually grow to be 5 to 8 meters tall. They often branch near the base and display distinctive growth forms in both young and old wood.

What do coffee leaves look like on Colombian coffee plants?

The leaves are thin and leathery, shaped like oval-tipped or straight-edged lanceolate forms. They range from 6 to 14 cm long and 3.5 to 5 cm wide, with smooth edges, a pointed tip (10–15 mm), and 7–13 side veins per side.

What color and shape are Colombian coffee cherries when ripe?

Ripe coffee cherries in Colombia are bright red and broadly oval in shape. They measure approximately 12 to 16 mm in length and 10 to 12 mm in diameter, with a sweet, fleshy interior and two seeds (coffee beans) per cherry.

When do coffee plants in Colombia typically bloom?

Coffee plants in Colombia generally flower during the months of March and April. This bloom period is crucial for the subsequent development of coffee cherries and harvest timing.

What do coffee flowers look like on arabica plants in Colombia?

The flowers are white, fragrant, and measure around 10 to 18 mm long, typically with five (sometimes four or six) petals. The flower tube is 2.5–3 mm and the reproductive parts extend well beyond the petals.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee Beans from Colombia

For a true taste of Colombia’s classic arabica profiles, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Huila Y1 Single Origin—bright with notes of red apple, brown sugar, and honey. Also consider their Narino Gesha, offering floral and citrus brightness with a juicy body. For something more traditional, the Santa Barbara Bourbon lot delivers caramel, almond, and mild citrus. All are grown at high elevations and reflect Colombia’s signature coffee plant morphology. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.