Norfolk Island Pine
A Norfolk Island pine looks like a little Christmas tree, but it is a tropical houseplant from the South Pacific. Treat it like a houseplant, not a pine, and it will keep growing indoors for years.
It is an indoor plant year-round here in eastern North Carolina. A summer on a shaded porch is fine, but it cannot take a frost.
The one rule that matters most
Never let water sit in the foil or the outer pot. Take the decorative foil or sleeve off to water it at the sink, let it drain for ten to fifteen minutes, then set it back.
Soggy roots are what turn the lower branches brown, and those branches do not grow back. Steady, even moisture with good drainage is the whole secret.
Finding the right spot
More light means a fuller, straighter tree. Too little light and it stretches, thins out and leans.
- The best spot is right beside a bright east- or south-facing window. A few hours of gentle morning sun is welcome.
- In a west window, pull it back a few feet or use a sheer curtain so our July and August afternoon sun doesn’t scorch it.
- Turn it a quarter turn every week. It grows toward the light and will lean if you don’t.
- Keep it away from heat vents, fireplaces and drafty doors. Dry, moving air is hard on the needles.
- Winter light is much weaker here. From November through February, move it as close to the window as you can, then back again in March.
Everyday care
Norfolk Island Pine
Araucaria heterophylla
- Light
- Bright light, with some gentle direct sun. It tolerates medium light for a while, but grows sparse and leggy there.
- Water
- Check about once a week. Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil is dry, then let it drain completely. Don’t let it dry out all the way, and never leave it standing in water.
- Humidity & temperature
- Happiest at 60–75°F and never below 50°F. It loves humidity: a pebble tray or grouping it with other plants helps a lot in winter.
- Feeding
- A balanced houseplant food at half strength once a month from March through September. No feeding in fall and winter.
- Pruning
- Never cut the top. The tree grows from that single tip and will not replace it. You can snip off lower branches that have turned fully brown.
- Watch for
- A few lower branches browning with age is normal. Several at once usually means too much water, too little water, or dry air.
Can upset a pet’s stomach if chewed. Keep it out of reach of cats and dogs. If any part is eaten, call your veterinarian.
Decorating it for the holidays
- Use small, lightweight ornaments. The branches are soft and will bend under heavy ones.
- Use LED string lights only. They stay cool and won’t dry out or burn the needles.
- Take the decorations off after the holidays so the branches can spring back and the tree gets its full light again.
The eastern North Carolina year
It drinks more in summer and much less from November through February. In winter, check the soil first and expect to water less often.
| Season | What to do |
|---|---|
| SpringMarch–May | New growth begins at the tip. Start monthly half-strength feeding. This is the best time of year to repot if it needs it. |
| SummerJune–August | It can vacation on a covered, shaded porch once nights stay above 55°F. Move it out gradually, keep it out of afternoon sun, and check the soil often in our heat. |
| FallSeptember–November | Bring it back inside when nights start dropping toward 55°F, usually late September to early October in Johnston County, well ahead of our first frost. Stop feeding by the end of September. |
| WinterDecember–February | Heat pumps dry indoor air out badly, and this is when branch tips brown. Use a pebble tray, keep it off floor vents and away from cold glass at night, and give it your brightest window. |
When and how to repot
Norfolk Island pines grow slowly and like to be a little snug, so plan on repotting only every three to four years. Do it in spring, when roots are coming out of the drainage holes or water runs straight through.
Go up one size only: a pot one to two inches wider, always with drainage holes. Use a quality, well-draining potting mix, keep the tree at the same depth it was already growing, and handle the roots gently, as it dislikes being disturbed. Water it in and hold off on feeding for four to six weeks.
Quick fixes
Lower branches turning brown and dropping
Usually soggy soil or water left in the foil. Let it drain, and water only when the top inch is dry.
Crispy, brown needle tips
Dry winter air or a nearby heat vent. Add a pebble tray and move it away from the vent.
Tree leaning to one side
It is reaching for the light. Turn it a quarter turn every week.
Branches drooping and thin
Not enough light. Move it closer to a bright window.
Pale or yellowing needles
Too much water, or it is hungry in spring and summer. Check the soil first, then feed at half strength.
Dusty, dull needles
Rinse it gently with lukewarm water in the shower, then let it drain well.
More plant care guides
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Lots of sun, a deep drink when bone dry, and then leave it alone.
Read the guide →About pets and plants: The pet notes in this guide are general plant knowledge from our florists, not veterinary or medical advice. If a pet chews or swallows any part of a plant, contact a licensed veterinarian right away, or call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. If a person swallows any part of a plant, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.
“So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.”1 Corinthians 3:7
Questions about your plant?
Call or text us. We are always glad to help, whether you bought it from us or not.
Call or text (984) 250-7771 Clayton Florist · 11440 Clayton Blvd, Clayton, NC 27520claytonncflorist.com