Norfolk Island Pine

This giant tree from Australia makes a great houseplant in the U.S.

By Sandy Feather – Penn State Extension

Q. I received a Norfolk Island pine as a Christmas gift and would like to know how to care for it properly. Can I plant it outside in the spring?

A. Norfolk Island pines (Araucaria heterophylla) can make attractive, durable houseplants and are often sold as already decorated Christmas trees around the holidays. They grow slowly, perhaps 3 to 6 inches annually, and are well suited for indoor culture. Norfolk Island pines are not hardy in the northeastern US, but they are 200-foot-tall giants in their native habitat off the eastern coast of Australia.

 Hardiness Zone for Norfolk Island Pines

They are hardy in USDA Zones 10-11 in the United States and will begin to show signs of cold injury at temperatures below 40 degrees.

Best Exposure for Norfolk Island Pines Growing Indoors

These plants perform best in bright light, with at least two or three hours of direct sun daily. An east-facing window should be ideal. Turn the plant a quarter of a turn weekly to keep it from getting lopsided as it grows toward the sun. They should be fine in temperatures that we find comfortable indoors, although they appreciate slightly cooler temperatures at night. A range between 60 and 70 degrees is best.

Norfolk Island Pine decorated with a red holiday bow

Ways to increase the humidity

If that is not an option, place the pot on pebbles in a saucer with water in it. It is important to keep the bottom of the pot above the water so that the plant is not sitting in water constantly, or the roots will quickly rot.

Another way to increase humidity is to group houseplants together. Because plants lose moisture through their leaves constantly, the humidity is higher in the microclimate created by grouping them.

Watering Norfolk Island Pines

Norfolk Island pines prefer evenly moist but never saturated soil. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings. The best way to water this plant — and most houseplants — is to place the pot in a sink or bathtub and water until it comes out of the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot. Once the pot has finished draining, take it back to its usual place. If that is not an option, be sure to empty the saucer under the pot. If the pot is too heavy to lift, remove the excess water with a siphon pump or a turkey baster. Houseplants usually respond to higher light levels that come with spring by putting on new growth.

Fertilizer Program

Once your Norfolk Island pine is actively growing, you can use a water-soluble fertilizer formulated for foliage plants. Something such as fish emulsion or Peter’s 20-20-20, used according to label directions, is fine. Stop fertilizing in September and do not start again until the plant starts putting on new growth in spring.

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Christmas trees and greens

Watering new trees and shrubs