Monterey pine (Pinus radiata)
Monterey pine (Pinus radiata) 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 Monterey pine (Pinus radiata).
This plant has several common names including: Monterey pine or radiata pine.
This is a evergreen plant that takes 20-50 years to reach full maturity.
In this article
Plant profile
Common name: Monterey pine, radiata pine
Scientific name: Pinus radiata
Plant type: Conifers, Trees
Habit: Columnar / Upright
Height: Higher than 15m
Spread: Wider than 8 metres
Foliage: Evergreen
Sunlight: Full Sun
Soil: Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Moisture: Well drained
Garden type: Coastal
Planting type: Hedging & Screens, Low Maintenance
Seasonal colors
| Season | Stem | Foliage | Flower | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
How to plant Monterey pine (Pinus radiata) – dalvenjah on Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Other types of Pinus to consider:
See all Pinus
How to plant
In this section we will learn how to plant Monterey pine (Pinus radiata), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.
Soil
Monterey pine (Pinus radiata) is a plant that adapts to all types of soils, chalk, clay, loam or sand.
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The chalky soil is pale and contains chunks of calcium-rich rock. It is a fertile and well-draining soil, almost always alkaline.
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Clay soil is composed of more than 25 percent clay particles. These particles have a high moisture holding capacity and the soil is heavy to dig and can be waterlogged in winter (dry in summer).
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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.
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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, Pinus radiata likes to grow in well drained soil.
Sunlight
Monterey pine (Pinus radiata) should be grown in full sun places.
Cultivation profiles – Growing Monterey pine (Pinus radiata) – I, Tony Wills, CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons
