Araucaria araucana, the monkey's despair
Araucaria araucana
- Exposures
- Sun, Half-shade
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 6b (-20.6°C ≤ T° < -17.8°C)
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Family
- Araucariaceae
- Genus
- Araucaria
- Species
- Monkey's despair Araucaria araucana
Other names:Araucaria chilensis, Araucaria dombeyi, Columbea quadrifaria, Dombeya chilensis, Abies araucana, Pinus araucana
Nicknamed monkey's despair because of its thorn-covered branches, Araucaria araucana belongs to the Araucariaceae family. This tree, endemic to southern Chile and Argentina, existed as far back as the time of the dinosaurs and can live for over 1,000 years!
How to recognize the desperate monkey, Araucaria araucana?
Araucaria araucana is an evergreen tree. It grows to a height of 40 metres and has a pyramidal habit. After several years, however, the branches at the base fall off. The conifer then adopts an upright habit with an umbrella-like crown.
The trunk can exceed one meter in diameter. Its gray, resinous bark bears geometric patterns at the base. These are the leaf scars left by older branches. The bark is brown on the inside. This detail distinguishes the Desperate Monkey from araucaria angustifolia, whose bark is reddish on the inside.
The tough green leaves completely cover the branches. They are lanceolate, three to five centimetres long and only one to two centimetres wide.
The reddish-brown cones are rounder than the male cones. They carry the brown seeds that allow the tree to multiply.
Unless you try to climb it, Araucaria araucana will not put you in any danger. The tree is non-toxic and its seeds are even edible!
Our care tips
Araucaria araucana need space. Plant them in the ground, away from other crops, so they can flourish. Once established, they'll be virtually maintenance-free.
Watering
Water when the substrate is dry on the surface, for about three centimeters. Use non-calcareous water, such as rainwater, filtered water or mineral water.
Don 't let water stagnate in the planter or saucer, as it may rot the roots.
Repotting
Get a pierced pot. Its size depends on your situation. If you've just bought your Monkey's Despair, the container should be twice the size of the root ball. If you've already repotted the plant, one size larger than the previous pot will suffice.
Place a layer of universal potting soil on the bottom. Plant your Monkey's Despair in the center. The rootball should be three centimetres below the rim of the pot to form a watering trough. Add substrate and tamp gently.
Water to expel air bubbles and encourage rooting.
Fertilization
You can stimulate the growth of your plant during its growth phase, in spring and summer, with fertilizer.
Fertilize your Monkey's Despair with a conifer fertilizer once a month. Follow the dosage and manufacturer's instructions to avoid damaging the foliage.
Put compost at the foot of your Monkey's Despair to stimulate its growth.
Prune
Your Monkey's Despair does not need pruning. On the contrary, pruning could be detrimental to its growth.
You can, however, remove dead branches in early summer using a clean, sharp tool, such as pruning shears.
Planting
Soak your Araucaria araucana. Meanwhile, dig a hole twice the size of the root ball. You can place gravel at the bottom to improve drainage.
Plant your Araucaria araucana. The collar should reach ground level. Fill the hole with garden soil. But you can also add sand if your soil is heavy, or potting soil if it's poor.
Water generously to encourage rooting and remove air bubbles.
Sowing
Once the risk of frost has passed, you can sow your Araucaria araucana seeds.
Your seeds are more likely to germinate if you cold stratify them. Do this in winter so you can sow in spring.
Fill an airtight bag (e.g. A freezer bag) with potting soil for sowing and planting. Moisten the substrate. Bury your seeds in the potting soil, seal the bag and place it in the fridge for two months.
Check your mixture regularly to make sure it doesn't rot and remains moist. If any seeds germinate, you can remove them for planting.
Check your mixture regularly to make sure it doesn't rot and remains moist. If any seeds germinate, you can remove them for planting.
Pour seedling soil into pots. Plant two to three seeds per pot.
Keep the substrate moist by spraying regularly.
Diseases / Threats
Information
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Exposures
- SunHalf-shade
- Substrate
- Humus soil
- Planting methods
- Open groundIn potsIn tubs
- Category
- Tree
- Tags
- Edible fruitBeginnerHardy
- Origin
- South America
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 6b (-20.6°C ≤ T° < -17.8°C)
- Leaf color
- Dark green
- Flower color
- Brown
- Fruit color
- Brown
Discover plants from the same family
Columnar pine
Araucaria columnaris
Norfolk pine
Araucaria heterophylla
Find out more
Find all our tips in the Monstera application
