Rather, these plants are a relative of themonkey puzzle tree.
Outdoors the Norfolk Island pine can grow up to 200 feet tall outdoors.
Whether grown inside or outdoors, the Norfolk pine requires copious amounts of light to survive.
The Spruce / Kortney Gloska
Norfolk Island Pine Care
The main care requirements for a Norfolk Island Pine are fairly straightforward.
Norfolk Island pines are capable of growing both indoors and outdoors.
While they have preferred growing conditions, they are quite forgiving and can thrive in various configs.
The Spruce / Kortney Gloska
Light
A Norfolk Island pine needs sun, preferringfull sunwhenever possible.
A south-facing window is ideal.
Norfolk Island pines can also handle relatively long periods (months at a time) in dimmer conditions.
The Spruce / Kortney Gloska
In that case, cut back on the fertilizer until the plant has more access to sunlight.
It’s helpful to turn it frequently, so every side gets equal light.
Adding extra peat moss and sand to a standard potting mix will improve acidity and porosity.
The Spruce / Kortney Gloska
Grown outside, it prefers soil that is rich, sandy, and acidic.
These areacid-loving plants, preferring a pH in the 4.5 to 5.5 range.
Water
Water your Norfolk Island pine regularly, keeping the soil damp but not soggy.
Outdoor Norfolk pine trees prefer the soil to remain somewhat moist.
Once established, it will tolerate somewhat dry conditions.
They can briefly survive cooler and warmer temperatures but may perish if they experience temperatures below 35F.
Norfolk Island pinesespecially younger treeshave notoriously weak root systems.
Repot your Norfolk Island pine in the springtime.
This plant does not have cultivars or named varieties.
A few other species from this family sometimes show up in the trade, mislabeled as the original plant.
Pruning
Remove lower branches that have dieda common issue with indoor specimens.
How to Grow Norfolk Island Pine From Seed
Norfolk Island pine best propagates by seed.
Overwintering
Norfolk pines love the warm weather and can’t tolerate temperatures below 35 degrees Fahrenheit.
When it is faced with frost, the plant will begin to yellow and die.
Bring a potted tree indoors if it’s not already, and keep it away from drafts.
Water only when the surface of the soil is dry to the touch.
Common Problems With Norfolk Island Pines
This easy-going tree may encounter a few challenges in its life.
The needles will turn different colors to alert you to a problem.
Wide temperature fluctuations can cause the needles to brown.
Brown needles may also indicate that the plant is being overwatered or underwatered, too.
Needles Turning Yellow
If the needles turn yellow, the tree may not be getting enough sunlight.
Or, it could be getting too much sunlight.
Extreme changes in temperature may also be the culprit turning the needles yellow.
A Norfolk pine can go outside if the conditions are right.
It cannot survive in temperatures lower than 35F.
When grown indoors, a Norfolk Island pine can live for several decades.
If the tree is planted outside, it can live for more than 150 years.
No, you should not mist a Norfolk pine.
Misting is completely ineffective at raising the humidity for plants.
If you think your Norfolk pine would benefit from increased humidity,get it a humidifier.
To bring a dying Norfolk Island pine back to life, first check the soil.
If it’s dry, aerate the soil by poking holes in it, then water it deeply.
The soil should be thoroughly wetted.
However, if the plant is dying and the soil is dry,check for root rot and treat.
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.
Insect Issues Norfolk Island Pines.City of Oxnard.
