Huon Pine Plant Care
Lagarostrobos franklinii (Hook.f.) Quinn
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Lagarostrobos franklinii is a species of conifer native to the wet southwestern corner of Tasmania, Australia. It is often known as the Huon pine or Macquarie pine, although it is actually a podocarp (Podocarpaceae), not a true pine (Pinaceae).
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Huon Pine?
Plant Huon Pine in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young tree every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C). Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Huon Pine Native To?
What Is the Huon Pine?
Huon Pine (Lagarostrobos franklinii) belongs to the Podocarpaceae family within the Lagarostrobos genus. Huon Pine is native to the wet southwestern corner of Tasmania, Australia.
Huon Pine displays a tall coniferous tree growth habit, reaching up to 60 ft tall with a spread of approximately 20 ft. Huon Pine produces small, inconspicuous male and female cones.
Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Huon Pine?
Water a young or newly planted Huon 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.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Huon Pine Need?
Huon Pine thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Huon Pine Prefer?
Lagarostrobos franklinii tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Huon Pine prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Huon Pine?
Well-draining acidic soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Huon Pine to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Huon Pine?
Feed Huon 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.
Fertilizing
Every 8 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
Where Should You Plant a Huon Pine?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining acidic soil with high organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Huon 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.
How Far Apart Should You Plant a Huon Pine?
Huon Pine can spread to about 20 ft (6.1 m) and reach about 60 ft (18 m) tall. Space plants about 20 ft (6.1 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.
How Do You Prune a Huon Pine?
Prune Huon 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.
How Do You Care for a Huon Pine in Winter?
Huon 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.
How Do You Propagate a Huon Pine?
Huon Pine can be propagated through seeds, cuttings.
Is the Huon Pine Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Huon Pine, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Huon Pine?
Huon 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Huon Pine Need?
Huon Pine grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Huon Pine is native to the wet southwestern corner of Tasmania, Australia. In cooler regions, grow Huon Pine as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Huon Pine is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Lagarostrobos genus — compare its care with other Lagarostrobos species on PlantoScan.
Lagarostrobos is part of the Podocarpaceae plant family — browse all Podocarpaceae genera and species.
Huon Pine thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Lagarostrobos franklinii (Hook.f.) Quinn, family Podocarpaceae (first published in Austral. J. Bot. 30: 316 (1982)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Huon Pine, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
