What Is a Monkey Puzzle Tree?
The monkey puzzle tree has shiny, tough foliage with spiky, sharp tips that grow upward in whorls. With an open and airy habit, large cones appear on both male and female specimens. This plant is large, unusual, and sometimes described as frightening. Other descriptions of the monkey puzzle plants include grotesque, out of this world, and beautiful. Monkey puzzle grows outside in USDA zones 7b through 11, but for those in other areas, an alternative is learning how to grow monkey puzzle houseplant. Related to the more familiar Norfolk Island pine that grows well in containers and is often used as a Christmas tree, growing monkey puzzles in containers is similar to caring for this tree. Both are slow growers and benefit from keeping soils moist, but never soggy.
Growing Monkey Puzzle Indoors
Choose the right pot size when growing monkey puzzles in containers. Size of the pot will determine how big the monkey puzzle indoors becomes. In their natural state, monkey puzzle trees become as tall as 60 to 70 feet (18-21 m.) with a spread as wide as 35 feet (11 m.). Plant the small specimen in a well-draining houseplant mix. Locate growing monkey puzzles in containers near a sunny, south or west facing window.
Caring for a Monkey Puzzle Tree
Keep the soil moist. Caring for a monkey puzzle tree includes monthly fertilization with a balanced houseplant food. Use a micro-nutrient spray once or twice yearly. When growing monkey puzzles in containers, you may notice new growth that is pale in color. This indicates that more fertilizer is needed. Stop feeding monkey puzzle indoors during winter months to allow for a period of dormancy. Do not prune growing branches when caring for a monkey puzzle tree. The exception will be when lower branches begin dying off later in the plant’s life. These should be removed. When growing monkey puzzles in containers, repotting may be necessary in a few years. Move to a bigger container and consider lightly pruning the roots before repotting to limit growth of this large tree. As with the Norfolk pine, monkey puzzle indoors do not like to be moved. If you see a webby substance between the leaves, you have spider mites on the plant. Isolate the plant and move outdoors if necessary. Treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
