Norfolk Island Pine
Araucaria heterophylla · also called living Christmas tree, Norfolk pine, star pine
Norfolk Island Pine is a soft-needled tropical conifer often sold as a living Christmas tree. Give it bright light, even moisture, and good humidity.
Araucaria heterophylla is not a true pine but an ancient conifer from Norfolk Island in the South Pacific, where it grows into a towering tree over 100 feet tall. Indoors it is a graceful, symmetrical plant with soft, feathery needles arranged in tiered horizontal branches, giving it the look of a miniature Christmas tree. It is widely sold around the holidays for exactly this reason, often decorated as a small living tree.
Despite its evergreen appearance, it is a subtropical plant that wants warmth, steady moisture, and bright light rather than cold winter conditions. Indoors it grows slowly, gaining a few inches a year and eventually reaching five to six feet over many years. The main challenges are providing enough light and humidity to prevent branch drop and browning. It is non-toxic to pets, making it a safe holiday choice, though the needles can cause mild stomach upset if eaten.
How to care for Norfolk Island Pine
Light
Give it as much bright light as possible, including several hours of direct sun near a south or west window. Insufficient light leads to sparse, weak, drooping branches. Rotate the plant regularly so it grows evenly on all sides.
Watering
Water when the top inch or two of soil dries, usually every 1 to 2 weeks, keeping it lightly and evenly moist. Do not let it dry out completely, which browns the needles, nor stay soggy, which rots the roots. Reduce slightly in winter.
Humidity
Prefers moderate to high humidity of 50 percent or more. Dry indoor winter air causes browning and needle drop. Use a humidifier or pebble tray, especially near heating, and group it with other plants.
Temperature
Keep it in a steady 60 to 75F range. Avoid cold below 50F and protect it from drafts, fireplaces, and hot vents. Despite its Christmas-tree look, it is not frost-hardy and should stay indoors in winter.
Soil & potting mix
Use a well-draining, slightly acidic potting mix; a peat-based blend with added perlite and a little sand works well. The mix should hold moisture but drain freely. Always use a pot with drainage holes.
Feeding
Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength every 3 to 4 weeks in spring and summer. It is a light feeder, so avoid heavy fertilizing. Do not feed in fall and winter when growth pauses.
Pruning & grooming
Avoid pruning the branches, as cut tips do not regrow and the plant cannot replace lost form. Remove only fully dead, brown lower branches. Never cut the central leader, which would permanently ruin the tree's shape.
Repotting
Repot every 2 to 3 years in spring when roots fill the pot, moving up one size. Handle the shallow roots gently and keep the plant at the same depth. Avoid disturbing it more than necessary.
Propagation
Propagation is difficult at home. It is usually grown from seed, and cuttings rarely root, only forming from the central leader tip rather than side branches. Most growers simply buy established plants.
Common Norfolk Island Pine problems
- Browning, dropping branches. Lower branches browning and falling off usually result from dry soil, low humidity, or insufficient light. Keep the soil evenly moist, raise humidity, and move it to a brighter spot. Lost branches will not regrow.
- Drooping, weak branches. Soft, sagging branches that lose their tiered shape point to too little light. Provide bright light with some direct sun and rotate the plant for even, upright growth.
- Crispy needle tips. Brown, dry needle tips come from low humidity or inconsistent watering. Increase humidity with a humidifier or pebble tray and keep the watering schedule steady.
Norfolk Island Pine FAQ
Why is my Norfolk Island Pine turning brown and dropping branches?
Browning and branch drop are usually caused by a combination of dry soil, low humidity, and not enough light. Keep the soil evenly moist without letting it dry out completely, raise the humidity above 50 percent, and give it bright light with some direct sun. Importantly, branches that are lost will not grow back, so act early.
Can I keep my Norfolk Island Pine outdoors?
Only in frost-free climates, because it is a subtropical plant that is not cold-hardy and is damaged below about 35 to 40F. In most of the US it should be kept as an indoor plant, especially in winter. You can move it outside to a shaded, sheltered spot during warm summer months.
Should I prune my Norfolk Island Pine to shape it?
Avoid pruning the branches, since the cut tips will not regrow and the plant cannot replace its symmetrical form. Only remove branches that are completely dead and brown. Never cut the top central leader, as doing so permanently stops upward growth and ruins the tree shape.