Indoor araucaria - home care, propagation, diseases, species and varieties

Araucaria is a small tree with graceful branches and needle-like leaves, bright green in color and unusual in shape. There are over 20 species in this family in the wild, most of which are large trees, but there are also cultivated varieties. Araucarias grow up to 2 meters in height with proper care and are suitable for home decor.

This spruce is a perennial plant that thrives in fresh air, moderate watering, and high humidity. It is highly resistant to various pests and is not susceptible to common houseplant diseases, but it is demanding in terms of fertilizing and repotting, and does not tolerate dry air or poorly chosen growing conditions.

Characteristics of the species and varieties of indoor araucaria

The indoor araucaria is a member of the Araucariaceae family, one of the few ornamental conifers capable of thriving indoors. It naturally grows in the forests of South America, Australia, and New Guinea, where various varieties of evergreen spruce can be found, with mature trees reaching 50-60 meters in height. Indoors, this species can reach up to 2 meters in height, and there are over a dozen cultivars found throughout the world. The most popular varieties, with photos, are:

• Columnar is so named because of the appearance of its cones and the shape formed by the crown of the tree;

  

• The variegated one has a special foliage shape, tapering gradually, and looking like a pyramid at the top;

  

• Chilean has spiral-shaped, spiny leaves of a dark green hue;

  

• Araucaria Bidwillii has glossy foliage arranged in two rows and a specific crown structure of branches, as well as huge cones.

  

The evergreen tree has a number of characteristic features:

• soft leaves, curled upwards and arranged in a spiral;
• light green color;
• the narrow foliage resembles the needles of conifers;
• close arrangement of leaves to each other;
• slow growth indoors;
• the branches form a triangular crown;
• the bark is dark brown, slightly flaky;
• presence of fruit cones;
• The branches are covered with small scales.

The decorative spruce also has useful properties:

• air purification from toxins;
• indoor humidity control;
• Strengthening the energy of creative people and helping them to unlock their potential.

With proper care, the tree will delight you with its green appearance for many years and make it possible to plant it at home.

You may be interested in:

Ficus microcarpa: How to care for your indoor plant
Ficus microcarpa is a hardy plant with an intricate root system, the roots of which protrude above…Read more…

The secrets and difficulties of caring for araucaria at home

This indoor plant isn't particularly demanding in terms of growing conditions and care, but it still appreciates consistent and moderate watering, moisture, and lighting. With basic care, the araucaria will live in your home for up to 10 years, gradually growing and adding its exotic appearance to any room.

Lighting

Araucaria thrives best in full, filtered light, or in shade with direct sunlight. To ensure even growth, rotate the tree weekly, orienting it toward the sun.

Temperature and humidity

This species prefers cool conditions, and the optimal temperature for it is no higher than +22 in summer and +15 in winter. Never place the araucaria near heating devices, as warm air will sap its vitality.

Being a tropical plant, it requires misting; if it lacks moisture, its needles will turn yellow and fall off quickly. To avoid this, spray the tree several times a week in the summer and less frequently in the winter months, but don't forget to keep the foliage moist.

Watering and fertilizing

Watering your araucaria depends on the season. A generous amount of water is appropriate in summer, but be careful not to allow water to stagnate in the pot. In winter, reduce watering, allowing the soil to dry out. Once all the moisture has drained, wait 2-3 days before resuming watering.

It's appropriate to fertilize the araucaria twice a month during the active growth period and reduce the amount of fertilizer applied in the winter; once a month is sufficient. Make sure the mineral fertilizer you use doesn't contain calcium, or only a minimal amount, as it's harmful to the tree and slows its growth.

Planting, replanting and propagating araucaria

To plant araucaria, use a special substrate designed for conifers. If you prepare the soil yourself, it should include components such as peat, sand, leaf mold, and turf. Filling a third of the pot with drainage is essential for successful planting.

You can grow araucaria yourself from seeds or using the top cuttings of mature plants. Seed propagation isn't always successful, but a simple process is suitable for propagation by cuttings:

1. Cut off one of the top cuttings of the tree and place it in a cool place for a day.
2. Clean the cut end of the cutting from resin and treat it with charcoal.
3. Plant such a sprout in sand mixed with peat and cover it with a transparent glass container on top.
4. Choose a bright and warm place for the pot.

Provided that the air temperature is within +25, the rooting process will be completed in 2 months, and when new needles appear, the young plant can be transplanted into the substrate, where it will continue to develop.

Annual repotting is not appropriate for this species. Repotting every few years is sufficient. To control growth, choose a pot of approximately the same size as the original, refresh the soil, and clean out the root system. A good method for repotting is to transfer the plant to a new pot after thoroughly moistening it.

Why are my araucaria branches drying up and what should I do?

The main sign of improper tree care is the condition of its crown and branches. If they turn yellow and dry out, the plant has been attacked by pests or is diseased.

Pests and control methods

Compared to other ornamental foliage, araucaria is rarely attacked by insects that can damage it, but such incidents do occur. The tree may be attacked by the following pests:

1. Mealybugs – a sign of their presence will be white lumps on tree branches. To kill the pest, you can spray with a solution of alcohol, laundry soap, and water, and also treat the tree with special poisons at least three times, spaced 10 days apart.

   

2. Root beetle – its presence is indicated by dried-out lower branches of the spruce. To get rid of the pest, treat the soil with an insecticide solution.
3. Aphids appear on the tree crown as cone-shaped growths that quickly grow, causing the plant to wither. Insecticides such as Mospilan and Calypso are effective for control.
4. The rhizome moth causes the tips of cuttings to die off, and the plant's branches turn brown. The tree should be treated twice with special pyrethroid-containing products, separated by 7-8 days.
5. Pine vine borer can be identified by abnormally curved shoots and drying of young twigs. Removing affected parts of the spruce and treating with specialized chemicals is essential.

If the pest is identified at an early stage of its development on the spruce, the extermination process is much easier, and the appearance of the greenery eventually quickly returns to normal.

Diseases and treatment

Improper plant care can lead to the development of diseases. Araucaria is susceptible to the following diseases:

• Drying and yellowing of shoots is associated with a lack of moisture, the flower should be bathed more often;
• A crooked trunk indicates inadequate lighting. The tree should be relocated or turned more frequently.
• growth retardation occurs with excess potassium.

  

• Drooping branches indicate excess moisture. Reduce the amount of water used when moistening the soil;
• Thin and limp young shoots indicate that the plants are lacking nutrients. Increase the amount of fertilizer or switch to a higher-quality one.

Indoor spruce is highly resistant to various ornamental plant diseases, but improper care can still harm the plant.

You may be interested in:

Chlorophytum Curlya - Home Care and Propagation
Beginner gardeners want to find useful ornamental plants that are easy to care for on a daily basis. Excellent…Read more…

Frequently asked questions about growing

This spruce is a unique member of the conifer family and deserves special attention. Even if caring for the araucaria seems difficult at first, remember that the effort will be rewarded with the presence of this beautiful and beneficial plant in your home.