Monkey puzzle (Pewen)

Araucaria araucana

Iconic Patagonian conifer with stiff overlapping scale-like dark green leaves on horizontal whorled branches. Eventually reaches 40 m with characteristic candelabra silhouette.

Hardiness ratings

Monkey puzzle (Pewen) hardiness across the four zone systems
SystemRatingTemperature rangeHow to read it
USDA hardiness zone Zone 7–9 −17.8 °C to −1.1 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone
RHS hardiness rating H5 −15 °C to −10 °C Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance
Canadian plant hardiness zone Zone 7–8 −12 °C to −1 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone
Australian (ANBG) zone Zone 2–4 −10 °C to 5 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone

Growing notes

  • Native to the Andean foothills of southern Chile and Argentina
  • WARNING: IUCN listed as Endangered — wild populations severely reduced by historical logging, modern volcanism, and fire; source only nursery-propagated trees
  • Edible large seeds (piñones) — important traditional food of the Pewenche / Mapuche people
  • Slow growing but very long lived (1,000+ years recorded) — site for the very long term

Categories

Related plants

Cross-check Monkey puzzle (Pewen) against your zones

Reference

Monkey puzzle (Pewen) on Wikipedia