How to Care for a Norfork Island Star Pine

The Norfolk Island Star Pine (Latin name Araucaria heterophylla) is a beautiful conifer that can grow to over 100 feet tall outdoors, yet be used as a houseplant. It has also become popular as a living indoor Christmas tree. Following are some tips on how to care for this ornamental evergreen.

Things You'll Need

• Norfolk Island Star Pine
• Container and potting soil if growing indoors

Instructions

1. Do you live in a colder climate? As this tree is native to the Norfolk Island in the South Pacific, it cannot survive outdoors in a cold environment. In the United States, Norfolks have been grown successfully in Florida, Hawaii, the California coast and the southern part of Texas. The Norfolk also tolerates salt and wind found in coastal regions, and can grow in deep sand given sufficient water. Don't worry if you live in North Dakota though - these trees can grow anywhere if kept indoors, so if the temperature drops below 40 degrees where you live, skip to Step 3.

2. If your young Norfolk has been indoors, wait until the weather warms up in the spring before taking it outdoors to plant. You can either plant it in a container, or in the ground in a sunny location with good drainage. Once planted, water your Norfolk regularly in the spring and summer.

3. If your Norfolk is to be a houseplant, then find a suitable container with holes to allow drainage, and plant in potting soil. Locate it in your house where it can receive lots of bright indirect light, as well as just a few hours of direct light during the day.

4. Now that you've planted your Norfolk and put it in a good indoor location, you'll need to care for it. Water your Norfolk when the top inch or so of soil feels dry, and be sure that the excess water can drain out. These plants also enjoy humidity, so you may want to apply mist or use a humidifier, especially during winter when indoor heating can dry the air. You can apply a water-soluble fertilizer made for indoor plants, but just during the spring and summer when the plant is growing. Although some brown needles are normal, browning throughout the tree could be a sign it is not receiving the right amount of water, light, or humidity.

5. As for long-term care, keep in mind that Norfolks grow very slowly, about 3 to 6 inches per year. They can tolerate being slightly pot-bound, but you may want to consider repotting your tree every three to four years.