Norfolk Island Pine / Star Pine

Araucaria heterophylla

description

Norfolk Island Pine is a symmetrical evergreen conifer often grown indoors as a soft-textured tree.

benefits

Suitable for containers

How to care for Norfolk Island Pine

sunlight

In its native island habitat, Norfolk Island Pine grows in open, bright conditions. Give it strong indoor light near a window to keep its branches full and evenly spaced.

Bright indirect light

Place it close to an east-, west-, or south-facing window with filtered light. It will tolerate lower light, but growth becomes sparse and slower.

Gentle direct sun

A few hours of mild morning or late-day sun is welcome. Shield it from intense afternoon sun through hot glass, which can scorch or dry the needles.

Rotate the pot about a quarter turn every week or two so the tree does not lean toward the window.

watering

Keep the mix lightly and evenly moist, but never waterlog it. Let the top 1-2 inches of soil dry before watering thoroughly, then empty the saucer.

Spring and summer

In bright, warm conditions, this is often about every 7-10 days. Check the soil rather than following the calendar: it should feel dry near the surface but still faintly cool deeper down.

Fall and winter

With lower light and slower growth, water roughly every 10-21 days. Wait for the top 2 inches to dry, but do not let the whole root ball become bone-dry for long.

Lift the pot after watering and again before the next drink. A much lighter pot is a useful sign that the root ball has dried.

Bright light, warmth, small pots, porous terracotta, and a fast-draining mix shorten the interval. Dim light, cool rooms, large pots, and dense soil keep moisture longer.

Constantly wet soil can cause root rot and yellowing or browning branches. Make sure the pot has drainage and never leave it standing in water.

humidity

Preferred humidity

50-70%

Native to the humid air of Norfolk Island, this tree stays happiest with moderate to high humidity indoors. It usually tolerates typical home humidity around 40%, but dry heated air can cause crisp brown needle tips and dry-looking lower branches.

Keep it away from radiators and heating vents, especially in winter.

How to increase humidity

Below 40%

Run a humidifier nearby during the heating season.
Group plants together, or place the pot on a pebble tray with water below the pot base.
Give it a little space from walls and airflow so the branches can dry after watering.

temperature

Preferred temperature

18-24°C (65-75°F)

Winter minimum

10°C (50°F)

Native to a mild coastal climate, Norfolk Island Pine appreciates steady indoor warmth. It can handle cooler winter rooms, but growth slows below 18°C (65°F) and prolonged cold can damage the foliage.

Place it away from exterior doors, cold windows, radiators, and heating vents so temperatures stay even.

Cold drafts or sudden temperature changes can cause lower branches to brown and drop.

nutrition

March - August

Feed about once a month while the tree is making new growth, using a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer diluted to half strength. Do not fertilize in autumn and winter unless it is clearly growing in bright light.

Nitrogen

Nitrogen supports the soft green needles and new branch growth. A balanced fertilizer supplies enough without pushing weak, overly soft growth.

Apply fertilizer to already-moist soil, and flush the pot with plain water every few months to prevent fertilizer salts from building up.

soil

Loose, moisture-retentive soil

Norfolk Island Pine likes its roots evenly supplied with air and moisture, but it declines in dense, soggy compost. Use a peat-free houseplant mix loosened with perlite and fine bark, in a pot with drainage holes.

pH 5,5 - 6,5

This is slightly acidic soil. Most quality houseplant or ericaceous-style mixes fall in this range, so there is usually no need to adjust pH at home.

Choose a pot only a little larger than the root ball, as excess soil stays wet for too long.