What are Araucaria and how are they cared for?

Detail of the leaves of the Araucaria auracana

A. auracana

Do you like conifers? These plants are some of the most primitive in the world: they began their evolution approximately 300 million years ago, during the Carboniferous period. Growing to heights that had hitherto been unattainable, they were gradually able to colonize the entire planet. To date, some 575 species have been described, distributed in genera, one of which is the Araucaria.

This plant is magnificent, ideal for those gardens decorated in a rustic style, where you want to contribute a piece of the past to turn them into wonderful places. Do you want to know more about her?

Origin and characteristics of the Araucaria

Araucaria plants in habitat

Our protagonist is a genus of conifers that arose during the Mesozoic age, about 251 million years ago. Although an origin as such has not been established, today it is found mainly in America, specifically in south-central Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, southern Brazil and eastern Paraguay; In Oceania there are also them: 13 species are endemic to New Caledonia, Norfolk Island, eastern Australia and New Guinea.

How are they characterized? These trees are columnar, and can reach incredible heights, from 30 to 80 meters. The branches are usually horizontal and separate, covered with leathery or acicular leaves, and can be lanceolate and narrow, or wide and flat.

They are dioecious plants, that is, the male and female cones are on separate feet. The former are small and cylindrical in shape, 4 to 10 cm by 1,5 to 5 cm wide; the latter, on the other hand, have a diameter of 7 to 25cm, globose and contain 80 to 200 large, large and edible seeds that resemble the seeds of pines but larger.

They have a very slow growth rate, about 2-3cm per year., but they are some of the most ornamental conifers that we can find, since they are also one of those with the longest life expectancy: 2.000-year-old specimens have been found.

Main species

There are two sections in the genre, which are:

Araucaria Section

They have wide leaves and cones of more than 12cm. The most popular species are:

Araucaria angustifolia

Araucaria angustifolia adult specimen

Image - Wikipedia

Known as the Paraná pine, Brazil pine, missionary araucaria or curý, it is native to Brazil and can also be found in Paraguay. It can grow to 50 meters, and its trunk thicken to measure 1 meter in diameter.

araucaria auracana

Young specimen of Araucaria auracana

Known as the Araucaria de Chile, araucaria pine, Chilean pine, arm pine, pewen or pehuén. It is native to Chile, and to the south-central and south-west of Argentina. Reaches a height of up to 50 meters, with a straight, cylindrical and very thick trunk (up to 3m). The crown begins to branch several meters from the ground, and is formed by hard needles (leaves), provided with a dark green mucron (thorn) at the tip.

Related article:
Chilean Araucaria (Araucaria araucana)

Araucaria bidwillii

Araucaria bidwillii specimens

Known as the bunya pine, it is a species native to southeastern Queensland (Australia). It reaches impressive heights, although not as much as the previous species: 30-40 meters. It has a more or less pyramidal shape, branching a few meters from the ground.

Eutacta Section

Araucaria heterophylla (synonym of Araucaria excelsa)

Araucaria heterophylla specimens in habitat

Known as Araucaria excelsa, Araucaria or Norfolk Island Pine, it is an endemic plant of Norfolk Island that grows 50-80 meters. The branches are nearly horizontal or slightly oblique, which is why it is sometimes also called the storied pine.

The Araucaria heterophylla is an imposing conifer
Related article:
Norfolk pine (Araucaria heterophylla)

Araucaria montana

Young specimen of Araucaria montana

It is an endemic conifer of New Caledonia that reaches a height of 10-40 meters. It has numerous and widespread branches. Adult leaves resemble scales, sharp to obtuse, ovate, dark green in color.

What care do you need?

Are you considering having one in your garden? If so, here is your care guide:

Location

Although it has a fairly slow growth, We recommend keeping the Araucaria outdoors, in full sun or in semi-shade. It can be indoors for a few years, but over time we will be forced to take it outside.

Soil or substrate

Not very demanding, but it is convenient that it has good drainage, since otherwise it will not only cost you to root but you could also have problems with excess moisture. You have more information on this topic here.

Irrigation

Every 3-4 days in summer, and every 6-7 days the rest of the year. We must avoid waterlogging. If we have it in a pot with a plate underneath, we will remove the excess water ten minutes after watering.

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Compost for plants

During spring and summer it must be paid, either with Organic fertilizers as synthetics (chemicals). If it is on land, we can put a layer of manure or compost about 3cm thick once a month, but in the case of being in a pot it is much more advisable to use liquid fertilizers following the instructions specified on the container.

Pests

It is quite resistant, but can be attacked by mealybugs, which can be eliminated with an anti-cochineal insecticide or, if the plant is young, with a swab from the ears moistened in pharmacy alcohol.

Planting or transplanting time

The best time to transfer it to the garden or to a larger pot is in spring, when the risk of frost has passed. Transplantation to a larger recipient must be done every two years.

Rusticity

Araucaria can be grown outdoors all year round in temperate climates, with frosts of up to -10ºC.

Araucaria as a houseplant

During, especially, the Christmas holidays, it is common to get an Araucaria to use as a Christmas tree. But, how to have it beautiful inside the house? Well, if you are going to get one, apart from providing the care that we have mentioned before, it is very important that you keep it in a very bright room, away from the heating. Air currents affect it a lot, to such an extent that its leaves quickly turn brown.

On the other hand, although it is not essential, It will help a lot to make it look healthy if you put a humidifier nearby or glasses with water around it. Thus, it will surely grow strong and win every year.

What uses does it have?

Detail of the leaves of the Araucaria heterophylla

A. heterophylla

All these:

  • Ornamental: As an isolated specimen or in scattered groups, it looks great in a garden.
  • Carpentry: Wood is used to build houses, drawers, containers, furniture, packaging, boards, plywood and veneers.
  • Culinary: the seeds are edible, and they are also rich in carbohydrates.
  • Medicinal: The resin from the trunk of some species, such as A. auracana, is used to treat skin ulcers.

What did you think of the Araucaria? You have someone?


19 comments, leave yours

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  1.   MERCEDES OLIVEROS SUAREZ said

    Thank you for the valuable information
    Mercedes Oliveros. Mexico

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Thanks to you, Mercedes. 🙂

    2.    Nicholas said

      I have a plant, the info is very good but it is not clear to me what type of substrate is the most suitable, I would appreciate it if you could pass it on to me, thank you.

      1.    Monica Sanchez said

        Hi Nicolas.

        If you are going to grow it in a pot, it can be filled with universal plant substrate. However, it is interesting to mix it with a little bit of perlite or arlite, so that the roots do not get puddled.

        Greetings.

  2.   Silvia I Jauregui said

    I have a araucaria seedling, which I brought from Villa Pehuenia, Neuquén, Argentina. I live in Mar del Plata, Province of Bs.As.
    I plan to plant in a large pot. Where do I put the pot? In a gallery or in the garden?
    We are entering winter and there may be frosts.
    What kind of soil do you like in a pot?
    Thanks, greeting

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hello Silvia.
      Keep it in the garden, somewhat sheltered from the wind. It will go well
      Greetings.

  3.   Patricia said

    Hello !!
    How fantastic to have found them !!! I am from Chile and I have several tiny araucarias

    In winter I planted the fruit, which is the Piñon (South of Chile) and now they sprouted
    the little plants. Question . can I use leaf soil for transplanting?
    Best regards Patricia

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hi Patricia.
      It is better to use arable land, that is, the black one, but mixed with 30% of perlite, arlite, fine gravel or river sand.
      Regards!

  4.   Caroline Baeza said

    Hello, thank you very much for the information, I have one that has been drying up 🙁 I want to save it but I don't know what to do anymore, I already had it inside and also outside in the garden I don't want it to die

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hello Caroline.
      Araucaria are trees that do not do very well indoors. Whenever possible, it is preferable to keep them outside, in semi-shade or in full sun, in pots with drainage holes or in the ground.

      You have to water them from time to time as indicated in the article. And treat with fungicide to prevent and / or eliminate fungus when overwatered.

      Greetings.

  5.   Gregory Cepeda said

    Hello, I have an araucaria plant about 1 meter high but it stopped growing upwards because apparently the upper central tip was damaged, is there a solution for this problem? GREETINGS AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH

  6.   Grace Boubet said

    Plant an araucaria less than 1mt altera in the home garden, directly on the ground 25 years ago. It is very high, many brown leaves are put on it that gives me the impression as if they were burned by the sun, but today I just discovered that now it has like large pinecones on the tips of its branches and that is why I started to investigate to inform me. These pine nuts are green, I want to know if when they mature they turn brown and fall on their own and also if it is normal for branches to turn brown and fall. He has many green branches Thank you very much and I await your response.

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hello Graciela.

      Yes, it is normal that over the years the leaves and branches dry out and fall.
      As for the fruits, they will also fall, but before the seeds will do so since they are much lighter. You will see them right away, because being a very large tree and producing so many seeds, it is easy to distinguish them as they tend to pile up.

      Regards!

  7.   Vivian Fajardo said

    Excellent post, thank you very much for the tips. I have a Araucaria excelsa planted in the garden, I hope it does well, since I am from the north of Chile, it has grown about 8 cm in 5 months, frosts are beginning to fall, this climate is interior desert, with a lot of daily thermal oscillation, it will be need to put a cover on it? The other thing that worries me that these soils are saline, I hope it adapts.

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hi Vivian.

      Thanks for your words.

      The Araucaria withstands frosts down to -7ºC, so that if it does not drop below that in your area, it will be able to grow well.

      With regard to salinity, it is advisable to put organic fertilizers on the ground, such as mulch, compost or cow manure for example, so that you do not have problems.

      Greetings.

  8.   gustavo said

    I have made seedlings of the bidwilli araucaria. One year to germinate. Now that they have reached approximately 15 cm and take out 3 horizontal branches, I see that some leaves are turning brown. It is some pest or that it can be done, So I put reduced baking soda on them and fumigated them, okay?

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hello Gustavo.

      They are probably mushrooms. Here You have more information.

      They are eliminated with fungicides that contain copper, or with powdered copper.

      Greetings.

  9.   Jaime Espinosa said

    I have a norfolk pine araucaria - excellent plant for outdoor gardens

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      It is a fantastic plant, without a doubt. Thanks Jaime.