Araucaria
( ar - raw - KAR - ee - uh )
At-A-Glance InformationThis genus of evergreen trees that need full sun and regular water. They are conifers that have very distinctive silhouettes. Most have stiff, overlapping green leaves and need a lot of space to grow. Do not sit under these beauties; the cones are spiny, heavy (10-15 pounds) and fall from great heights! They can thrive as container trees for a few years, but then need to be transplanted to an area where their roots can spread or they will decline. Take care when planting these trees in the landscape, as plant parts can be mildly toxic to animals if ingested.
|
Araucaria Species and Varietals
The genus Araucaria is the type genus member of the plant family Araucariaceae and includes 20 extant species. The best growing zones for Araucaria vary depending on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
Aruaucaria angustifolia (Panara Pine, Brazilian Pine, Candelabra Tree) This critically endangered species is native to southern Brazil. It reaches 130 feet tall at maturity (the largest recorded at 150 feet tall), and has thick, scaly green triangular leaves that overlap on twigs and branches. Leaves have razor sharp edges and teeth. |
Araucaria araucana (Araucaria imbricata) (Monkey Puzzle Tree, Monkey Tail Tree, Pinonero, Pewen, Chilean Pine) This species is native to Chile and grows best in zones 4-9, 14-24, H1 and H2. Has heavy, spreading branches and ropelike branchlets with dark green leaves. Slow-growing when young, but eventually reaches 70-90 feet tall and 30 feet wide. This is the hardiest species of Araucaria. |
Araucaria bidwillii (Bunya-Bunya, Banya, Bunya Pine) Grows best in zones 7-9, 12-24, H1 and H2. This native to Australia is very commonly planted in California. Grows to 80 feet tall and 60 feet wide. Leaves are arranged in a spiral. Makes an unusual houseplant; hardy, tolerant of low-light conditions. |
Araucaria heterophylla (Araucaria excelsa) (Norfolk Island Pine) This native to Norfolk Island, Australia gets to 100 feet tall relatively quickly, and spreads 60 feet wide. Used as a Christmas tree in Hawai'i; this tree can be used as a potted indoor plant for a time, but then needs to be transplanted. Grows in zones 17, 21-24, H1 and H2. |
Caring for and pruning Araucaria Trees
Araucarias can either be grown outdoors in the landscape or indoors as houseplants. Outdoors, these plants thrive in partial shade to full sun, and have a preference for protected locations. Consider planting Araucaria trees in a sheltered location, such as near buildings, fences, walls, or other larger plants. Having said this, these trees also need a good amount of airflow around their branches to prevent development of fungal infections. Foliage can be burned by late afternoon direct sunlight. These trees will thrive in places that do not regularly drop below freezing, and prefer mild climates with moderate temperatures. Ensure that soil is well-draining before planting, and that it is amended with plenty of organic material, which will provide nutrients for the tree as well as improve soil structure and drainage. Araucaria plants prefer soil that is between sandy loam and loam, and a slightly acidic to neutral pH of between 6.0 and 7.0. Apply a thick layer of mulch around the base of the plant to control weed growth and increase soil moisture retention.
Keep soil consistently moist, especially in the warmer months of the year, but ensure that roots are not becoming waterlogged, as this can cause issues with root rot and other fungal infections. Waterings can be reduced in wintertime when growth slows down. Avoid overhead watering, as this can cause fungal issues to develop. Fertilize outdoor Araucaria trees with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer applied in early springtime before new growth pushes out for the year. Avoid fertilizing these trees in late summer or fall, as doing so can encourage late-season growth that may not harden off before the winter months roll around again. Pruning is relatively straightforward for Araucaria trees. Simply remove dead, damaged, or diseased branches or foliage using clean, sharp pruning tools to make smooth cuts. These trees with their symmetrical growth habits require little other pruning, other than light shaping if necessary. In wintertime, these trees will need protection in areas that receive frost. Young trees can be covered with frost cloth or burlap during particularly cold weather (especially if temperatures drop below freezing). If your Araucaria is being grown in a pot, consider bringing it indoors during the winter months for added protection.
Caring for Araucaria Indoors
Araucaria heterophylla, or Norfolk Island Pine, is commonly kept as an indoor houseplant, and it is even sometimes decorated for the winter holidays. Place your plant in a spot that receives bright indirect light, and avoid areas in the home that receive direct afternoon sunlight, which can scorch foliage. These plants prefer temperatures between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, tolerating slightly cooler temperatures at times. These plants are very sensitive to frost, preferring high humidity and warm temperatures. Water plants thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Avoid letting the soil completely dry out, as this can cause severe stress to the plant and its root system. Mist foliage regularly to mimic humid conditions, and ensure that the plant has good air circulation where it is situated.
Every 4 to 6 weeks during the growing season (late winter through the beginning-middle of summer), fertilize your Norfolk Island Pine with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half-strength. Reduce or stop fertilizing in fall and winter when the tree is dormant. Prune simply to maintain their shape (though they do a great job of this when left to their own devices) and to remove any dead, damaged, or yellowing branches. Use clean, sharp pruning shears for this job to make clean cuts. Repot your plant every 2-3 years to refresh the soil and provide more space for root growth. A great rule of thumb for knowing when to repot an indoor plant is if the roots are coming through the drainage holes at the bottom, it's time. Older trees may not need frequent repotting, but may benefit from occasional root pruning and top-dressing with fresh, nutrient-rich soil. Grown indoors, these plants will reach about 5-8 feet tall in 10 years.
Keep soil consistently moist, especially in the warmer months of the year, but ensure that roots are not becoming waterlogged, as this can cause issues with root rot and other fungal infections. Waterings can be reduced in wintertime when growth slows down. Avoid overhead watering, as this can cause fungal issues to develop. Fertilize outdoor Araucaria trees with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer applied in early springtime before new growth pushes out for the year. Avoid fertilizing these trees in late summer or fall, as doing so can encourage late-season growth that may not harden off before the winter months roll around again. Pruning is relatively straightforward for Araucaria trees. Simply remove dead, damaged, or diseased branches or foliage using clean, sharp pruning tools to make smooth cuts. These trees with their symmetrical growth habits require little other pruning, other than light shaping if necessary. In wintertime, these trees will need protection in areas that receive frost. Young trees can be covered with frost cloth or burlap during particularly cold weather (especially if temperatures drop below freezing). If your Araucaria is being grown in a pot, consider bringing it indoors during the winter months for added protection.
Caring for Araucaria Indoors
Araucaria heterophylla, or Norfolk Island Pine, is commonly kept as an indoor houseplant, and it is even sometimes decorated for the winter holidays. Place your plant in a spot that receives bright indirect light, and avoid areas in the home that receive direct afternoon sunlight, which can scorch foliage. These plants prefer temperatures between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, tolerating slightly cooler temperatures at times. These plants are very sensitive to frost, preferring high humidity and warm temperatures. Water plants thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Avoid letting the soil completely dry out, as this can cause severe stress to the plant and its root system. Mist foliage regularly to mimic humid conditions, and ensure that the plant has good air circulation where it is situated.
Every 4 to 6 weeks during the growing season (late winter through the beginning-middle of summer), fertilize your Norfolk Island Pine with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half-strength. Reduce or stop fertilizing in fall and winter when the tree is dormant. Prune simply to maintain their shape (though they do a great job of this when left to their own devices) and to remove any dead, damaged, or yellowing branches. Use clean, sharp pruning shears for this job to make clean cuts. Repot your plant every 2-3 years to refresh the soil and provide more space for root growth. A great rule of thumb for knowing when to repot an indoor plant is if the roots are coming through the drainage holes at the bottom, it's time. Older trees may not need frequent repotting, but may benefit from occasional root pruning and top-dressing with fresh, nutrient-rich soil. Grown indoors, these plants will reach about 5-8 feet tall in 10 years.
Propagation
Araucaria trees and shrubs can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your shrub or tree, follow the instructions below:
Propagating Araucaria by Cutting
Propagating Araucaria by Seed
Propagating Araucaria by Cutting
- Araucaria trees and shrubs are easily propagated via cutting, though this method does have some drawbacks. Cuttings taken from the tip of the growing apex (the top of the tree) is best; cuttings taken from the tips of horizontal branches do not really produce propagated trees that grow upright; these cuttings will need a lot of staking and training to form upright trees. This means that only one cutting per existing plant is possible, and once the growing apex is removed, the parent tree will have trouble growing upright from then on. If you have suckers coming up from the ground around the base of the tree. taking cuttings from these tips are ideal. Take cuttings for the purpose of propagation only if you understand these factors beforehand.
- Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand.
- In mid-summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch portion(s) of the end of a branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Cuttings taken from vertical shoot tips are best; those taken from branches tend to form trees that will not grow into an upright tree. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
- Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
- Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.
- Trees may need staking as they grow, especially those that have been propagated from side branch tip cuttings. If a branch cutting is used for propagation, the tree will need careful and intentional training and staking for between 1 and 2 years.
Propagating Araucaria by Seed
- Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a deep pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand. You will also, after a few weeks, need individual 3-inch pots for each seedling that grows.
- Harvest your seeds in fall. Cones will begin to fall from the tree and start to dry up at this time, and they can be collected and brought inside to remove seeds. The seeds are a bit difficult to store, and it is recommended that they are sown immediately after harvesting. If this is not possible, store the seeds in moistened peat moss in a sealed bag in the refrigerator until sowing time.
- Soak your seeds in cold tap water for 24 hours. Viable seeds will sink; any that float should be discarded.
- Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray pointed side down about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. The top of the seed should be popping up above the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 2-3 weeks from sowing, though much of the early growth energy will be sent to the root, which will grow deep into the soil before above-ground parts appear. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, try to remove the seed coat, which is usually pushed out of the soil.
- Transplant each seedling to its own individual deep pot, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
- Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home or keep it indoors as a houseplant.
Problems and Pests
Araucaria plants suffer from the following pests and diseases:
- Aphids
- Spider Mites
- Scale Insects
- Mealybugs
- Sooty Mold
- Leaf Spot
Gallery
Videos
Learn all about a popular species of Araucaria, the Norfolk Island Pine.
|
How to grow and plant the Monkey Puzzle Tree.
|
Learn about the conservation efforts being undertaken to save these unique trees.
|
Learn about the Bunya Pine and its massive cones.
|
Growing and caring for a Norfolk Pine in a container.
|
Learn about the history and origins of Araucaria trees.
|
Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 163, Araucaria
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!