Norfolk Island pine

About Norfolk Island pine

The Norfolk Island pine is not a true pine but a southern-hemisphere conifer found wild only on Norfolk Island in the South Pacific, where it grows to about 200 ft (NC State). Indoors it makes a soft-needled, symmetrical little tree with tiers of branches, sold at the holidays as a living Christmas tree, and it can reach about 9 ft over the years. It wants the brightest, coolest room in the house, and NC State notes the species is vulnerable in the wild.

Hardy outdoors only in zones 9-11, where it becomes a large tree (NC State); it is grown indoors everywhere and can summer outdoors in bright, lightly shaded spots once nights stay above about 55 F.

When to plant

Timing is counted from your average last spring frost (and first fall frost). Sow & Tell works out the actual dates for your ZIP code.

Usually bought as a small nursery tree, often at the holidays; it is propagated from seed (NC State).

Growing it indoors

• Light: Give it a bright, cool room, with light afternoon shade so the needles don't bleach yellow; it tolerates very low light for 2-3 years but then drops needles and lower branches (NC State).
• Water: Water regularly from spring to fall without keeping the mix wet, and sparingly in winter (NC State); MU Extension lists it as evenly moist. Use a pot with drainage and empty the saucer after watering (Wisconsin).
• Humidity: It adapts to the warm, dry air of most homes, but NC State suggests misting it in heated rooms in winter.
• Temperature: It prefers a cool room of 55-65 F (NC State), and MU Extension also lists 55 F nights; keep it out of cold drafts from doors and windows (Wisconsin).
• Feeding: A dilute liquid fertilizer every week or two from spring through fall (NC State), none in winter.
• Repotting: The pages we opened give no schedule; repot in spring, one pot size up, when roots fill the pot or come out the drainage holes (Wisconsin's general rule).

Soil

A fertile, porous, slightly acidic, well-drained potting mix with some sand and peat (NC State).

Pot in a fertile, porous, slightly acidic, well-drained mix with some sand and peat (NC State).

Feeding

• Spring through fall: dilute liquid fertilizer. Every week or two (NC State); follow the label.
• Winter: none. Skip feeding while no new growth is showing, and water sparingly (MU Extension, NC State).

Needle drop and lost lower branches come from too little light, which fertilizer can't fix (NC State).

Pests to watch for

Scale insects

Diseases and problems

Sooty mold, Leaf spot

In the kitchen

Safety: NC State tags it non-toxic and gives no poison warning; the needles end in soft but sharp points.

Pets: Non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses (ASPCA, listed as Australian pine, also called Norfolk Island pine).