Araucaria: The Quiet Beauty of the Ornamental World<br />Araucaria is one of the most beautiful ornamental trees, belonging to the Araucariaceae family. It is grown for landscaping and aesthetic purposes in public and private gardens. It is characterized by its pyramidal shape and symmetrical needle-like leaves.<br />Scientific Name:<br /><br />Araucaria heterophylla<br />Also known as: False Pine<br />Araucaria Norfolk Island Pine<br />Morphological Characteristics<br />Description<br />General appearance: A pyramidal tree, growing upright. It can reach a height of 30–60 meters in the wild and 2–5 meters in pots.<br />The leaves are soft, dark green, and arranged in a beautiful spiral pattern. Growth is slow to medium.<br />Planting and Uses:<br />Public and home gardens: It is grown singly in open spaces.<br />Indoors: It can be grown in pots as an indoor plant provided it is well-lit.<br />Entrances and Walkways: It is used to decorate paths and formal areas. Suitable Environmental Conditions<br />Element Requirements<br />Light: Prefers bright, indirect light indoors, or partial sun outdoors.<br />Temperature: Grows well in temperatures between 18–28°C.<br />Soil: Light, well-drained, and rich in organic matter.<br />Watering: Moderate; water when the topsoil dries out. It does not tolerate waterlogging.<br />Araucaria Care<br />1. Fertilization: Use a balanced fertilizer once a month in spring and summer.<br />2. Pruning: Pruning is rare, only needed to remove dead leaves.<br /><br />3. Pests: May be infested with mealybugs or spider mites indoors.<br />4. Rotation: If grown in pots, the pot should be changed approximately every two years depending on growth.<br /><br /><br />Al-Mustaqbal University is the first university in Iraq.