Monkey Puzzle Tree Plant Care

Monkey Puzzle Tree (Araucaria araucana) belongs to the Araucariaceae family within the Araucaria genus. Monkey Puzzle Tree is native to central and southern Chile and western Argentina. Monkey Puzzle Tree is also known as Chilean Pine, Pehuen.

Monkey Puzzle Tree displays a tall, conical tree growth habit, reaching up to 100 ft tall with a spread of approximately 30 ft. Monkey Puzzle Tree produces rarely flowers, small cones.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Monkey Puzzle Tree every 7–14 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.

Monkey Puzzle Tree thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Araucaria araucana tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Monkey Puzzle Tree prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. 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 Monkey Puzzle Tree to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Monkey Puzzle Tree every 8 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 full sun to partial shade and well-draining, acidic soil with high organic matter content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Monkey Puzzle Tree is suited to USDA Zone 7a – 10b.

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.

Monkey Puzzle Tree can spread to about 30 ft (9.1 m) and reach about 100 ft (30 m) tall. Space plants about 30 ft (9.1 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 Monkey Puzzle Tree 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.

Monkey Puzzle Tree is hardy down to USDA zone 7a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown trees need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Monkey Puzzle Tree can be propagated through seeds, cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to norfolk island pine plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Monkey Puzzle Tree is susceptible to aphids, scale insects. 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.

Monkey Puzzle Tree grows outdoors in USDA Zone 7a – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 7a. Monkey Puzzle Tree is native to central and southern Chile and western Argentina.