Monkey puzzle (Araucaria araucana) is a conifer that can grow higher than 15m tall and wider than 8 metres wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Monkey puzzle (Araucaria araucana).
This plant has several common names including: monkey puzzle, money puzzle tree or Chile pine.
This is a evergreen plant that takes 20-50 years to reach full maturity.
In this article
Plant profile
Common name: monkey puzzle, money puzzle tree, Chile pine
Scientific name: Araucaria araucana
Plant type: Conifers, Trees
Habit: Bushy
Height: Higher than 15m
Spread: Wider than 8 metres
Foliage: Evergreen
Sunlight: Full Sun, Partial shade
Soil: Chalk, Loam, Sand
Moisture: Moist but well drained
Garden type: Architectural
Seasonal colors
| Season | Stem | Foliage | Flower | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
How to plant Monkey puzzle (Araucaria araucana) – NasserHalaweh, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
How to plant
In this section we will learn how to plant Monkey puzzle (Araucaria araucana), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.
Soil
Monkey puzzle (Araucaria araucana) is not a demanding plant regarding the type of soil and can grow in chalk, loam or sand.
-
The chalky soil is pale and contains chunks of calcium-rich rock. It is a fertile and well-draining soil, almost always alkaline.
-
The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals. It offers the best of all worlds, retaining enough water for the plants, but allowing excess moisture to drain away. This is the most desired type of garden soil, perfect for most plants.
-
Sandy soil is light, porous and very easy to drain. It is a soil poor in organic matter and nutrients. It is composed of relatively large mineral particles that allow water to drain quickly.
It is not very sensitive to soil acidity or alkalinity and grows well in soils with pH acid, alkaline or neutral.
Regarding drainage, Araucaria araucana likes to grow in moist but well drained soil.
Sunlight
Monkey puzzle (Araucaria araucana) is a plant that should be grown in full sun or partial shade positions.
Cultivation profiles – Growing Monkey puzzle (Araucaria araucana) – MPF, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
