Hoop Pine Plant Care

Hoop Pine (Araucaria cunninghamii) belongs to the Araucariaceae family within the Araucaria genus. Hoop Pine is native to continental mainland areas. Hoop Pine is also known as Richmond Pine, Cunningham's Hoop Pine.

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

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Hoop Pine 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.

Hoop Pine thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Araucaria cunninghamii tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Hoop Pine 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 Hoop Pine to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Hoop Pine 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.

Hoop Pine is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

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.

Hoop Pine 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 Hoop Pine 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.

Hoop Pine is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Hoop Pine 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.

Hoop Pine 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.

Hoop Pine grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Hoop Pine is native to continental mainland areas. In cooler regions, grow Hoop Pine as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.