Are you looking for an unusual conifer to add to the landscape? Monkey puzzle trees have been around for hundreds of millions of years, with odd branches covered in spiraling leaves. They’re surprisingly easy to grow in mild climates throughout the United States. Plant biologist Emily Estep walks you through everything you need to know about this South American native.
Monkey puzzle trees are fun and unusual perennials that add an unexpected shape to the landscape. The branches grow in a parallel fashion with space in between. Native to Chile and Argentina, these plants have persisted on Earth for more than 200 million years.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature classified A. araucana as an endangered species in 2011 due to a decreasing population trend, citing both the decline of mature individuals and the decline of habitat. It’s one of about 20 species in its genus, and quite a few of the other species are dwindling as well.
They are relatively easy to care for, and their growth is slow but steady. The greatest difficulty in growing these plants is providing the right amount of water. They are used to the significant precipitation of the Andes mountains, but they’re also prone to rot in wet soil.
Far from their native land, monkey puzzle trees are now planted in landscapes in mild climates all over the world. If you live in the right zone, you can add one of these striking living fossils to the landscape.
Monkey puzzle tree is an evergreen conifer known for its symmetrical branches that grow with lots of open space between them. In its native habitat of the Andes mountains in Chile and Argentina, it can live to be more than 1,000 years old, earning the nickname “living fossil.”
This species is the national tree of Chile. Though it’s not naturalized in the United States, it’s often grown in the South and the West Coast in USDA hardiness zones 7 through 10.
This perennial has a pyramidal growth habit. Its branches grow without touching each other and form a unique, geometric shape. Small, triangular leaves spiral densely along the branches. This species does not provide much shade, due to the branches’ sparse growth.
They add unusual texture and shape in the landscape all year long, though their large surface roots may interfere with the lawn, sidewalks, and foundations. Eventually at maturity, the branches widen to form a canopy, with no branches below, reaching 80 feet. This is highly unlikely in a cultivated, landscape plant.
These plants have either cylindrical (male) or spherical (female) cones that emerge in a shade of green before fading to yellow and then brown. The cones drop seeds in the fall. This can be a bit of a hassle to clean up, but they’re actually edible. These seeds are usually roasted similarly to pine nuts.
This plant is native to the Andes mountains in both southern Chile and western Argentina. It grows on volcanic hills. This temperate location sees a lot of rain, experiences average humidity, and observes winter temperatures that go just below zero (~-18°C). This species will grow in similar, mild climates down to zone 7 as long as it gets enough water.
You can purchase small monkey puzzle trees and plant them in the landscape of your home. It’s possible to grow them from seeds, too, but the cold stratification and germination processes can take up to six months. Young plants can be kept in pots but will quickly outgrow them. When planting, consider that these trees can ultimately expand to 30 feet in width and will have sprawling roots.