Norfolk Pine
Instead of a Christmas tree some may opt for a Norfolk Island pine (Araucaria heterophylla)which is usually available in stores before Christmas. It may be sold plain or decorated to serve as an alternate mini Christmas tree for those with little space. Once the holiday is over, the Norfolk pine can double as a patio or long-lasting houseplant.
Norfolk pine, belongs to the ancient genus of evergreen conifers, Araucaria, which includes the newly discovered extinct Wollemi pine. It is hardy in zone 10-11. In the wild this semi-tropical tree can get up to 200 ft. tall and grows a massive straight tree trunk with symmetrical lateral branches that produce an impressive sight in the landscape; but when grown indoors as a potted houseplant the diminutive version usually grows up to 8 ft. tall.

Care
Indoors, provide a cool, bright filtered light, humid environment with temperatures of 60-72F during the day and slightly cooler at night. They prefer a few hours of direct sun but can adapt to bright indirect light. Be sure to rotate the plant to maintain a symmetric shape and keep the plant from leaning over to one side. They also need 50% humidity which can be difficult to provide during the dry heating season in winter. Some ways to increase humidity is to run a humidifier or if possible use a pebble tray filled with water. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry and let the water drain from the bottom. Do not let it stand in water or saturate the soil, over watering will cause bright yellow needles that eventually fall off. Conversely, keeping the plant too dry with low humidity will cause brown tips. Keep it away from heating vents or cold drafts which can dry out the needles.
Feed your plant when it is actively growing (not winter) with a balanced houseplant fertilizer. Feed new, younger plants every 4-6 months and older plants every 3-4 months.
Repot every 3-4 years.
Prune only brown dead lower branches. Do not cut off the growing tips. If the growing top is damaged, it will not be replaced and you will get a misshapen tree.
Pests: Common pests that attack Norfolk pines are spider mites, scale and mealybugs.
Did you know: In nature, Norfolk pine cones take 18 months to mature, then breaks down and the scales produce edible seeds that Green parrots favor.
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I have beautiful, healthy Norfolk Pine that has grown close to 7ft tall & about 6ft around. Can I trim off the top without causing damage to this tree?? I live in IN and movnig this plant into the house for winter is becoming more difficult each year.
Comment by Mary — 11/30/2006 @ 11:39 am
Ihave 3 norfolk over 8 feet tall and wonder if I can plant them out doors.I live near Seattle.
Comment by thea brown — 12/18/2006 @ 11:48 pm
Thank you for being there with the info i was looking for
Comment by Michael J Gallagher — 12/26/2006 @ 10:52 am
Comment on Plant & Gardening Tips, for topI HAVE A NORFOLK PINE INDOORS AND WOULD LIKE TO TRANSPLANT IT OUTDOORS. I LIVE IN CENTRAL FLORIDA. HOW DO I DO IT?
Comment by Robert Moore — 1/1/2007 @ 9:11 am
I have 4 Norfolk Pines that are currently growing in the same pot and I would like to separate them… any ideas on how to do this safely? I didn’t know if just making sure the soil was moist before trying would be enough. These Pines are still all under 3 - 4 feet tall. Any tips would be appreciated, thanks!
Comment by S. Bryant — 1/5/2007 @ 9:20 am
I HAVE A NORFOLK PINE AND THE BRANCHES ARE CURLING UNDER AND DRYING UP. THEY ARE NOT BROWN BUT ARE FALLING OFF WHEN DISTURBED. WHAT AM I DOING WRONG? HOW CAN I PREVENT THIS?
.Comment by A. HOWARD — 1/23/2007 @ 11:21 am
Excellent. Thank you so much for your contribution. Very good information
Comment by Doug healy — 1/28/2007 @ 8:38 pm
I live in Old Town, Florida. I have several Norfolk pines in my yard. We just had a cold front and 6 inches of the tip were burned. Is it OK to cut the burned tips off without damaging the tree?
.Comment by Dottie Ratterree — 2/26/2007 @ 5:02 pm
I live in northern California and have two Norfolk Pines. I planted one of them in the ground in the front yard approx. 3 yrs ago(it was 4ft tall then). It is now approx. 12-14ft tall and a friend said I may need to move it away from the house. Do you think I will need to transplant it? I thought for certain the label said they grew to about 20ft tall but did not specify pot or ground.
Comment by Bonnie Martinez — 3/13/2007 @ 2:13 pm
Thanks for the reponse. I did see that picture and article but since mine is not in the wild, it is in my yard in town (Napa, CA) will it still get that big? Will the house and side walks prevent the root growth so it will stay smaller? I’m concerned because if it will get just as big I will have to move it.
Comment by Bonnie Martinez — 3/14/2007 @ 10:45 am
I inherited a 10′ Norfolk and for two years it was fine. About two months ago it slowed drinking and the branches were turning brown and falling off. This week I moved it and discovered - it smells horrid/incredibly rancid! I am draining out the excess water (sopping it up with new clean towels incerted twice/day along the drain pan for two days now) to help it as fast as I can. What is going wrong? And what do I do, I LOVE this plant - I named him “Herman” as in Munster, due to its size.
Comment by Jennifer — 4/18/2007 @ 9:36 am
Thanks for the tip for “Herman” my big Norfolk! I let it dry out, repotted with a 3″ layer of pebble on the bottom first (to prevent root rot from coming back) then used Miracle Grow nutrient rich Indoor-plant potting soil, and fed it with “SUPER Thrive” which was recommended by the nursery. Thank you very much…I think he’ll make it now!
Comment by Jennifer — 4/22/2007 @ 4:55 pm
We live in Melbourne Australia and are suffering from a very long drought can you advise the root structure of a Norfolk Pine. Are they as deep as they are tall or are they more prostrate.
We are having trouble with our home moving due to the lack of rain and our Norfolk Pine tree is 30 years old and at least 15metres tall… We are trying to establish if this tree could also be doing damage to our structure.
Many thanks Melissa
Comment by MELISSA — 4/26/2007 @ 10:36 pm
I have had my Norfolk pine since March, and it was doing well until about a month ago. It is in a window that gets hot afternoon sun (unfortunately there is no other window I can move it to) so I began to water it more frequently when I noticed that the soil was drying more quickly. Now the branches are turning brown and falling off. I have cut back on watering but the browning is continuing. I also notice a greyish film starting to cover some of the branches? Is this evidence of spider mites? What can I do to try to save my tree? Thank you.
Comment by Nancy — 7/1/2007 @ 1:54 pm
We live in El Paso, Texas and have kept a Norfolk Pine in our garden room since 1992. It is now a little over 6 feet tall with droopy foliage at the top and a long trunk. As it was a gift when my father died, I’d like to try to save it. Is there a way to air root it and start a new tree and perhaps bonsai it?
Comment by Jim — 7/2/2007 @ 9:28 am
I have a large potted Norfolk pine on an outside porch, I live in Ohio and need to put it in my garage for the winter. Should I burlap it? How much should I water it in the winter? Thanks!
Comment by Cindy — 9/20/2007 @ 5:46 am
I just purchased 2 Norfolk Pines. I plan to keep them indoors until spring. Will I be able to plant them outdoors in Clarksville, TN and will they survive and grow in our climate?
Comment by Julie — 11/10/2007 @ 6:55 am
I live in Bakersfield California and purchased my first Norfolk Island Palm at the Grocery store, it’s beautiful. I know its hot and dry on the patio even in the shade outdoors. Question is how do I keep it alive in the house all seasons? thank you.
.Comment by cheryl — 11/29/2007 @ 12:12 pm
I HAVE A GREAT NORFOLK PINE TREE IN MY BACK YARD. IT IS 12 YEARS OLD AND NOW STANDS APPROX 15 MTRS . I LIVE IN THE STATE OF QUEENSLAND IN AUSTRALIA.WE HAVE MANY NORFOLK PINES IN OUR TOWN AND SURROUNDING AREA AND MY QUESTION IS ,WE LIVE IN A CYCLONIC ZONE PLACE AND CAN GET QUIET GUSTY AND WINDY BUT I HAVE NEVER SEEN A TREE BLOWN OVER YET PLENTY OF OTHER SPIECES OF TREES HAVE .IS THERE ANY REASON FO THIS SUCH AS THEIR ROOT SYSTEM .
Comment by max anderson — 12/31/2007 @ 4:32 pm
Sadly, my aunt just passed away at Yule and I have been named caretaker of her Norfolk Pine. I have been told that they do not do well when within close proximity to other house plants. I would like to know if this is true and if so, which plants give them grief and how far away is tolerable? Thanks for your help. Ruby Duhamel
Comment by Ruby Duhamel — 1/19/2008 @ 2:54 pm
HOW DO YOU MAKE A PEBBLE TRAY?
Comment by MECHELL SANDER — 2/3/2008 @ 3:11 pm
Hi ‘ I live on the mid eastern coast of australia and have a healthy 20ft. norfolk pine in my front garden right where I want to put a swimming pool . My daughter would like me to dig it up to transplant to her home. I would like to know the best way to successfully do this I have a small excavator and bob cat at my disposal to use for this project. could you please give me some advice as to how deep/ wide I need to dig to move it with minimal damage.
thanks Joanne.
Comment by joanne ayres — 2/3/2008 @ 9:59 pm
I have (had?) a lovely small Norfolk Pine, about 3.5 ft tall with lush green branches. I was in the process of moving, so put it out on the patio for a couple of nights and I know it got too cold. Now the upper 2/3 of the tree is a brownish-gold color, but the needles do not appear dry. I’m sure this is freeze damage – Washington DC – but I’m wondering if it can be saved. It’s inside now. The bottom 1/3 of plant looks pretty good. Will the upper branches fall off eventually or should they be pruned with the hope of saving the rest and possible regrowth. I hate that this happened as it was such a pretty little tree and I want to save it, if at all possible.
Comment by Linda — 2/10/2008 @ 7:40 pm
Well, I’m crossing my fingers. I could always just have a “golden Norfolk pine“…is it possible that it would go back to green if it’s NOT frost damage?
Comment by Linda — 2/12/2008 @ 6:02 am