- Botanical name: Araucaria araucana
- Plant Type: Tree, Evergreen
Green
- Key features:
- Cones
- Dramatic foliage
Araucaria araucana is a large evergreen tree with a distinctive shape – its often horizontal branches are covered in spirals of sharp, triangular leaves. It is a common sight in large gardens and parks in the UK.
Also known as the monkey puzzle tree or the Chile pine, Araucaria araucana is native to Chile and Argentina and is an endangered species in its native habitat.
The tree dates back 200 million years, which means it was around in the dinosaur era. It was introduced to Europe in the late 18th century and was a favourite with the Victorians. It’s thought that it got its common name when a guest saw a tree at a country estate in Cornwall and remarked that it would be a ‘puzzler’ for a monkey to climb.
Araucaria araucana is usually dioecious, which means that the male and female cones grow on separate trees. The male cones are elongated and oval-shaped while the female cones are round. They are pollinated by wind. The female cones ripen over a few years, eventually turning brown, falling to the ground and releasing large brown seeds. These are attractive to grey squirrels and jays.
The monkey puzzle tree is a slow grower, reaching 6m x 3m after 10 years. However it ultimately it reaches 25m tall and 10m wide, so this is only a tree for a large garden. It can live for over 1,000 years.
Grow in a sheltered spot in full sun or partial shade in fertile, moist but well drained soil. Water well after planting until established. No pruning or additional care is necessary.
Where to buy a monkey puzzle tree online
This page contains affiliate links and we may receive a commission for purchases made. Please read our affiliates FAQ page to find out more.
How to grow Araucaria araucana
-
Plant size
25m height
10m spread
-
Aspect
South facing, east facing, west facing
- Sun exposure: Full sun, partial shade
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Soil type: Clay / heavy / moist / well drained / light / sandy
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow | ||||||||||||
| Sow |
J
Do not Sow in January |
F
Do not Sow in February |
M
Do not Sow in March |
A
Do not Sow in April |
M
Do not Sow in May |
J
Do not Sow in June |
J
Do not Sow in July |
A
Do not Sow in August |
S
Do Sow in September |
O
Do Sow in October |
N
Do not Sow in November |
D
Do not Sow in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does not flower in May |
J
Plant does not flower in June |
J
Plant does flower in July |
A
Plant does flower in August |
S
Plant does not flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
| Fruits | ||||||||||||
| Fruits |
J
Plant does not fruit in January |
F
Plant does not fruit in February |
M
Plant does not fruit in March |
A
Plant does not fruit in April |
M
Plant does not fruit in May |
J
Plant does not fruit in June |
J
Plant does fruit in July |
A
Plant does fruit in August |
S
Plant does not fruit in September |
O
Plant does not fruit in October |
N
Plant does not fruit in November |
D
Plant does not fruit in December |
| Collect seeds | ||||||||||||
| Collect seeds |
J
Do not Collect seeds in January |
F
Do not Collect seeds in February |
M
Do not Collect seeds in March |
A
Do not Collect seeds in April |
M
Do not Collect seeds in May |
J
Do not Collect seeds in June |
J
Do not Collect seeds in July |
A
Do not Collect seeds in August |
S
Do Collect seeds in September |
O
Do Collect seeds in October |
N
Do not Collect seeds in November |
D
Do not Collect seeds in December |
Araucaria araucana and wildlife
Araucaria araucana has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
Is Araucaria araucana poisonous?
Araucaria araucana has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
Plants that go well with Araucaria araucana
