Norfolk Island Pines:

Bring a Little of the South Pacific to Your Home This Winter

       Although I went through the "let's grow lots of houseplants" phase in the late 70's, Norfolk Island Pine was not one of my charges. Being from upstate New York I never even wondered where it got its unusual name. Most specimens that you see in the grocery store or garden centers this time of the year are on the small side, so there is nothing very dramatic to make you want to investigate their country of origin or history. Perhaps you'll get more interested in these miniature Christmas trees after reading this.

Norfolk Island Pine in Its Native Habitat

     Araucaria heterophylla is the botanical name for this conifer that hails from Norfolk Island, a small island in the Pacific Ocean between Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia. The first European known to have sighted Norfolk Island (and therefore these trees) was Captain James Cook in 1774 on his second voyage to the South Pacific. He named the tall, straight symmetrical trees he encountered after the Duchess of Norfolk. Cook was especially excited because he felt their trunks would be very suitable for use as masts and yards on sailing ships. Unfortunately when the island was occupied in 1788 it was found that Norfolk Island Pine was not resilient enough for these uses and the industry was abandoned.

Norfolk Island Pines Planted Near Whakatāne, New Zealand

     In a tropical climate Norfolk Island Pine can grow well over 100 feet tall with a straight vertical trunk---even in the face of constant strong winds that can contort other species. Don't panic, because this slow-growing Araucaria typically reaches only about 5' tall as a houseplant! Its cones (produced on mature trees) take eighteen months to mature, and then they disintegrate to release nut-like edible seeds. The heterophylla in its name means "different leaves" and refers to the variation in the leaves between young and mature plants. If you travel to warmer climes like southern Florida and Texas, coastal California and Hawaii you may have seen mature Norfolk Island Pines. I'll bet that's quite an unusual sight.     

Norfolk Island Pine Cones and Foliage

      To succeed with this elegant houseplant you must provide a cool, bright location with daytime temperatures of 60-70 degrees. The night temperature can even be a tad cooler. Water the plant when the top inch of soil feels dry, and make sure it gets a thorough drink every time you do water. The biggest challenge for the homeowner is the 50% relative humidity that it requires to thrive, since the average home's humidity drops to 15% once the winter heating kicks in. Some sites suggest using a humidifier to keep you, and your houseplants, happier. Don't fertilize much over the cooler months when the plant is "resting". It is not unusual for a few needles on the lowest branches to turn brown and fall off. However, many brown needles widely distributed throughout the plant can mean indicate too little or too much water, or not enough humidity.

     For the frugal among you, this plant makes a great miniature Christmas tree.  One of our favorite ways to decorate it is with red bows and little ornaments.  You can even use a strand of small lights on it.  Once the holidays are over it can resume its life as an attractive houseplant.  As soon as warmer weather gets here, put it outside where it loves our summer heat and humidity.  Now, admit it, aren't you just a little tempted to try one this season?   

Ann Weber