How to Grow and Care for Monkey Puzzle Tree

Fact checked by Sarah ScottReviewed by Julie Thompson-Adolf

Monkey puzzle tree is an evergreen conifer that grows in mountainous regions of South America. The unusual appearance of its branches make it a unique option in warmer climates where the tree can survive the winter. Monkey puzzle trees thrive in full sunlight and most types of fast-draining soil, as long as they gets lots of water.

Monkey Puzzle Tree Care

Planted in the right environment, such as USDA hardiness zones 7-10, monkey puzzle tree is an easy-going option. Here are the main requirements for growing a monkey puzzle tree:

• Choose a spot that gets lots of sunlight, ideally getting at least six hours of direct sun per day.

• Make sure your intended location will be big enough for a monkey puzzle tree as it matures.

• Prepare well-draining soil; the pH and composition of the soil is not particularly important as long as it drains easily.

• Water regularly, especially when the tree is first getting established, and continue to protect mature monkey puzzle trees from drought.

Light

Monkey puzzle trees want full sun but will tolerate partial shade, especially in hotter regions. They do not tolerate deep shade. If growing indoors in a container, place the plant near a window that gets plenty of direct light.

Soil

One real positive about growing the monkey puzzle tree is that it will tolerate a wide range of soils providing they are deep, and the drainage is good. Adding some perlite to the potting mix in a container may aid drainage.

Water

If the tree has established itself and you have watered it well for the first year or two, as instructed above, watering your monkey puzzle is low maintenance. The tree prefers medium moist soil, and that can usually be maintained by the precipitation that occurs naturally. If a dry spell does occur, water as needed. For a plant in a container besides keeping the soil moist, a regular misting will be needed.

Temperature and Humidity

The official hardiness range for the monkey puzzle tree is USDA zones 7 to 10, but it is borderline in warmer regions and does not tolerate dry weather. It can survive brief temperatures down to minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit.

If your garden is dry or can reach colder temperatures, consider growing the tree in a pot that can be moved back and forth between outdoor and indoor locations as the seasons shift.

Fertilizer

The monkey puzzle tree does not need supplemental feeding, thriving nicely on the nutrients provided by any type of soil.

Pruning

Monkey puzzle trees generally require no pruning other than to remove dead or broken branches. These should be removed back to the main trunk, as partial pruning often kills the entire branch. These trees are "self-pruning" as they age—lower branches die and fall off, creating a tree with an eccentric upper canopy.

Propagating Monkey Puzzle Tree

Monkey puzzle tree is tough to propagate by vegetative means, so it is normally done by collecting and planting seeds.

How to Grow Monkey Puzzle Tree From Seed

Although growing a monkey puzzle tree from seeds is not particularly hard, you will need to either purchase the seeds or obtain them from someone who has a mature tree, as the cones do not begin producing viable seeds until the tree is 40 to 50 years old.

Purchased seeds are the best option because you will be assured that they are female seeds. Monkey puzzle trees are dioecious, meaning that male and female cones appear on separate trees. Male cones are elongated and oval, while female cones are large and round. If collected from mature cones on an existing tree, the female seeds will be plump and rounded rather than the thin and flat shape of the male seeds. If you collect seeds, make sure to sow them right away.

1. Soak the seeds in water overnight, then plant in seedling flats filled with potting mix with the pointed tips facing down and the tops exposed.

2. Cover with plastic and place the flat in a sunny window. The seeds require temperatures of 68 degrees Fahrenheit to germinate.

3. Keep the potting mix moist but not soaking until germination, ranging from a few weeks to two months.

4. When the seedlings are large enough, you can transplant them into individual pots. Grow them in pots for about three years before transplanting them into the garden. Make sure to harden off the plants before planting them outside.
   

Potting and Repotting Monkey Puzzle Tree

Like its relative, Norfolk pine, monkey puzzle tree is sometimes grown as a container plant in regions where it cannot survive winters outdoors. It is best to give it plenty of outdoor time during the summer in cooler climates, moving it indoors only for the winter.

Monkey puzzle trees should grow in any well-draining potting mix in any type of pot with good drainage. When roots begin poking out of the drainage hole every few years, repot the plant into a larger container with fresh potting mix.

Overwintering

Monkey puzzle tree requires no protection against the winter cold when grown in-ground in its established hardiness range. Gardeners growing it as a container plant in cold-winter regions should move it indoors as temperatures begin to dip below freezing. A potted tree will need as much light as you can give it during the winter months.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

Monkey puzzle tree is generally resistant to pests and diseases, but there can be occasional problems with scale, mealybugs, thrips, and spider mites. Neem oil or another horticultural oil are good remedies.

Leaf spot, sooty mold, and phytophthora root rot are rare but possible disease issues. Mold and leaf spots are usually not fatal and are easily treated with fungicides, but once root rot takes hold, it will likely kill the tree. Poorly draining soils and overly wet conditions encourage these mold and fungal diseases.

Common Problems With Monkey Puzzle Tree

Monkey puzzle trees don't suffer from a lot of common problem, but they can be messy, and some are surprised by the natural loss of branches.

Falling Cones

Homeowners sometimes come to lament the messiness of monkey puzzle trees, which can drop large quantities of big, hard cones in the fall once the tree is mature, often assaulting pedestrians walking below. Trees with substantial surface roots may also heave sidewalks, driveways, and patios. This tree gets surprisingly large, so plant it with at least 24 feet of open space around it. Don't plant this tree near overhead utility lines.

Losing Limbs

Owners are sometimes surprised when the tree begins to shed its lower branches as it ages; however, it's a natural process. There is no cause for concern, as long as the tree is otherwise in good health.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to grow a monkey puzzle tree?

Monkey puzzle trees are slow growers, taking about 10 years before reaching maturity. However, they are long-lived, some living over 1,000 years.

Can you grow a monkey puzzle tree in the United States?

Monkey puzzle trees are not naturalized in the U.S., but they survive in the right environment. These trees are hardy in USDA zones 7-10 and can be found in gardens along the west coast, in the south, and in the southwest.

Can you eat monkey puzzle tree seeds?

Yes. The seeds found within the mature cones on this tree have a taste similar to pine nuts, but are soft like cashews. These nuts make the tree quite appealing to birds and other animals.

Read the original article on The Spruce.