Monkey Puzzle Tree Seeds (Araucaria araucana)
Monkey Puzzle Tree Seeds (Araucaria araucana)
Ancient. Architectural. Unforgettable.
Araucaria araucana, the Monkey Puzzle Tree, is a living relic of the age of dinosaurs. This prehistoric conifer features a silhouette so distinctive and architectural that it stops people in their tracks. Its overlapping, scale-like leaves form a spiral armor that has remained unchanged for over 200 million years. Native to the Andes of Chile and Argentina, it is far hardier than its exotic appearance suggests, tolerating deep cold once established. For collectors, rare-plant enthusiasts, or anyone wanting a true statement tree, nothing compares.
- Unchanged since the Jurassic period, a true living fossil
- Dramatic architectural form unlike any other tree in cultivation
- Surprisingly cold-hardy for a Southern Hemisphere species
- Slow-growing but extremely long-lived, lasting for centuries
- Endangered in its native range, making cultivated trees meaningful
Things You Probably Didn’t Know
It got its name from a joke.
In 1850, when an early specimen was shown in Cornwall, England, someone remarked that it would “puzzle a monkey” to climb it. The name stuck, even though there are no monkeys in its native range.
The seeds were a staple food.
The Mapuche people of Chile and Argentina have relied on Monkey Puzzle seeds, called piñones, for centuries. These large, nutritious seeds were eaten fresh, dried, and ground into flour. The tree remains culturally and spiritually significant.
It can live for over 1,000 years.
Some trees in Chile are estimated to be between 700 and 1,000 years old. Even the large specimens planted in the UK and Pacific Northwest during the Victorian era are still considered young.
It has separate male and female trees.
Monkey Puzzle Trees are dioecious, meaning male and female cones grow on separate trees. It can take 20 to 30 years before a tree is mature enough to reveal its sex.
Growing Details
- Botanical Name: Araucaria araucana
- Stratification: Not required; sow fresh for best germination
- USDA Zones: 7–10 (established trees may survive into zone 6b)
- Soil: Well-drained; slightly acidic to neutral
- Light: Full sun
- Height: 60–80 feet
- Spread: 20–30 feet
- Growth Rate: Slow (6–12 inches per year)
Plant it knowing your grandchildren will still be admiring it. A tree that measures time differently than we do.
FAQ
FAQ
Do you pre-stratify the seeds?
Most of our seeds are not pre-stratified. They are stored under dry, cold conditions to preserve viability without initiating stratification, allowing you to time germination for your local growing season.
The exception is recalcitrant seeds. Because these seeds must remain moist to stay viable, they are kept in moist, cold storage and are therefore in a pre-stratified state. Depending on how long a particular batch has been stored, some may arrive with an emerging radicle and be ready to plant immediately. Radicle development is not guaranteed.
Please refer to the individual product page and included growing instructions for species-specific requirements.
Do any of your seeds need to stay moist? (Recalcitrant seeds)
Yes. Some species we offer, including Chestnut, Hazelnut, and Paw Paw, are recalcitrant and must remain moist to stay viable.
Please refrigerate these seeds immediately upon arrival unless they have already developed a radicle. Seeds with an emerging radicle should be planted promptly.
Do you ship internationally?
No. We currently ship within the United States only.
We previously shipped to Canada, but tariffs, duties, and import fees resulted in customers receiving significant and unpredictable additional charges upon delivery. Because we cannot reliably calculate or absorb these costs, we have suspended shipping to Canada.
At this time, we do not ship to Canada or other international destinations.
Shipping & What's Included
Shipping & What's Included
Shipping & Packaging
• Hand-packed in resealable kraft paper seed bags
• Stratification and planting instructions included on every seed pack
• Ships within 3–5 business days via USPS within the United States and U.S. territories
Return Policy
Return Policy
Due to the nature of our products, we do not accept returns on seeds.
If your order arrives damaged, contains incorrect items, or is missing items, please contact us within 7 days of delivery so we can resolve the issue.
