Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla)

Norfolk Island Pine Trees, sometimes simply called Star Pines, are stately symmetrical evergreens that thrive indoors in very bright light. Many people use Norfolk Pines as living Christmas Trees, but be careful not to dry them out with too many lights. Norfolk Pines come small enough to sit on a table and large enough to fill the corner of a large room with tall ceilings. When purchasing a Norfolk Pine as a houseplant be sure that the plant has multiple trunks. This prevents the star Pine from looking bare and skinny as it grows taller. Keep in mind, you can’t trim a Norfolk Pine or make it shorter without the tree losing its symmetrical shape.

LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS: Norfolk Island Pine Trees require very bright light, even some direct sun. Bottom branches fall off when a Norfolk Island Pine doesn't get enough light.

CARE INSTRUCTIONS WATER: Keep the soil of a Norfolk Island Pine Tree moist at all times. Yellow needles on a Norfolk Island Pine can indicate that the soil is too wet or too dry. If the soil gets completely dry, entire fronds turn gray and brittle.

FERTILIZER: Feed a Norfolk Island Pine Tree every other week in the spring, summer,and fall. Use a well balanced liquid plant fertilizer diluted ti 1/2 the recommended strength.

TEMPERATURE: Norfolk Island Pine Trees prefer temperatures between 60-75°F, 16-24°C.

HUMIDITY: High humidity is important for a Norfolk Island Pine Tree. Dry air causes the needles on the tree to fall off. Keep a Norfolk Island Pine away from cold drafts, air conditioning vents, heating vents.

PESTS: The main houseplant pest that bothers a Norfolk Island Pine is Mealy Bugs. You can recognize the problem by the white, sticky, cottony, residue left on the plant.

SOIL: Use a good potting soil that retains moisture for a Norfolk Island Pine Tree.