Norfolk Island Pine: Uses, Bonsai, propagation and care tips

The tall and beautiful Norfolk Island Pine, better known as the living Christmas tree, is a lovely houseplant. Its botanical name is Araucaria Heterophylla and can be grown both indoors and outdoors. It is native to Norfolk Island in the Pacific Ocean, off Australia’s east coast, between New Zealand and New Caledonia. However, Norfolk Island Pine has been extensively planted all over the world, including India. Captain James Cook discovered this tree on his voyage to the South Pacific in 1774. Its native range is usually above 100 feet tall or more whereas the houseplant grows 1-5 feet in height. Though referred to as pine, it belongs to a separate coniferous family. Norfolk Island Pines are subtropical and produce cones on maturity. Their whorled branches and feathery, needle-like leaves lend them an elegant pyramidal shape and tiers of arched branches, thus, they look like Christmas trees. A Norfolk Island Pine can be trained as a bonsai or miniature tree. Norfolk Island Pine is a popular gift during Christmas, which can brighten your home even after the festive season.

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See also: Pothos types: How to grow, care, benefits and Feng Shui effect

Norfolk Island Pine: Common name

Norfolk Island Pine has many common names. These include Living Christmas Tree, Polynesian Pine, Christmas Plant, Star Pine, House Pine, and Triangle Tree.

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Norfolk Island Pine: Fruit

Norfolk Island Pines produce cone-like fruits that are usually green or brown/coppery in colour. With a length and width of more than three inches, these spiny, globose cones weigh around 10-15 ponds and contain multiple seeds.

Norfolk Island Pine: Care tips

Following are some of the most important things to keep in mind while caring for a Norfolk Island Pine.

Norfolk Island Pine: Sunlight requirements

Norfolk pine trees prefer several hours of direct, bright light. So, make sure to plant them in a spot that receives full sunlight.

Norfolk Island Pine: Water requirements

Since the Norfolk Island Pine stays in light, the water intake is much higher than normal to avoid soil dryness. The plant must be moist all the time. Dried soil can be detected by brittle and grey fronds. But too much water can cause root rot. To avoid overwatering, water the Norfolk Island Pine only when the top layer of the soil starts drying. Do not water the leaves. Water the soil and ensure that excess water is drained.

Norfolk Island Pine: Soil requirements

Norfolk Island Pine trees prefer well-drained, sandy and loose soil with lots of large organic matter. Acidic soil is better because it provides them with greater access to nutrients. When planted in the ground, these trees can adapt to any type of well-draining soil. But when grown in a container, a mix of potting soil, sand and peat is best.

Norfolk Island Pine: Fertiliser requirement

As it is a coastal plant, Norfolk Island Pine can tolerate some amount of salt in water and fertilizer. However, avoid too much fertilizer and use only mild ones. A water-soluble, balanced fertilizer is the best for the Norfolk Island pine. Regular application of fertilizers makes the roots stronger.

Norfolk Island Pine: Pruning requirement

Norfolk Island Pine doesn’t need pruning because that can take away the symmetry of the tree. Remove only dead leaves and branches from the plant.

Norfolk Island Pine: Humidity requirement

Increased humidity in winter is necessary to keep the Norfolk Island Pine thriving indoors, so mist the tree daily with water. Keep it away from cold drafts and air vents. If you observe unusual falling of the pine needles, it could be due to dry air.

Norfolk Island Pine: Pest and diseases

Norfolk Island Pines are vulnerable to pests, including aphids, mealy bugs, scale and white flies. Check regularly for infestations and treat them with neem oil. If the problem continues, specific insecticide sprays may be needed.

Norfolk Island Pine: Height

In its native habitat, Norfolk Island Pine grows more than 100 feet tall. But indoors, it can only reach up to around 6 feet.

Can Norfolk Island Pine be an indoor plant?

Norfolk Island Pines are often grown as houseplants indoors and outdoors. Norfolk Island Pine tolerates low, medium or bright light, but thrives in full sun or bright, indirect light. Kept indoors, it becomes a small, evergreen plant with sabre-like leaves that turn inward on tiered branches. Rotate the tree slightly every week, to keep it growing straight, if the light comes only from one direction.

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Norfolk Island Pine: Propagation

Norfolk Island Pine is grown from a seed found in its cone-shaped pods or from a cutting. Spread the seeds evenly on the soil surface and cover them with a thin layer of soil to maintain moisture. The seeds will germinate in around 45 days and tender leaves will grow in one month. The seedlings can be transferred to pots after one year. You can also propagate Norfolk Island Pine through cuttings. Cut about 10 cm of an upward-growing branch, treat it with rooting powder and insert it into sterile soil. It will take root and sprout in about 45 days. Norfolk Island Pine is difficult to root from cuttings, so keep the substrate moist and spray water daily.

Norfolk Island Pine: Bonsai

Norfolk Island Pines are relatively slow-growing trees that grow at a rate of 3-6 inches a year, making them a great candidate for a bonsai. Usually, bonsai trees are trained by wrapping a wire around their branches to keep them in the desired shape. However, Norfolk Island Pines do not adhere to this kind of training. Their trunks are quite thin when first planted and don’t grow much in width even when they grow. Also, their branches are feathery and flexible, making wire training difficult. To make a Norfolk Island Pine into a Bonsai, the best course of action is to let it grow in its natural shape slowly. Alternatively, you can cluster it with other small Norfolk Island Pines to create a forest-like growth in a container.

Norfolk Island Pine: Uses

NASA research shows that Norfolk Island Pines purify the air by eliminating harmful, volatile organic compounds from the air. The plant is grown as an outdoor, ornamental plant and the saplings are cultivated as houseplants. Norfolk Island Pine brings festive cheer as a live Christmas tree. The wood of the larger trees is used in construction, shipbuilding, furniture and wood carving.

What does a Norfolk pine symbolise?

Norfolk Island Pine trees are a symbol of cheer. The evergreen nature of the pines makes them retain the green foliage during winter. It represents wisdom and longevity for Native Americans. In many cultures, they also represent fertility and life.

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Norfolk Island Pine for sale

Norfolk Island Pines are commonly sold in many nurseries and grocery stores, particularly around Christmas as they- quite closely resemble miniature Christmas trees. You can also easily buy the Norfolk Island Pine of your choice from an online nursery or store.

FAQs

Can you bonsai a Norfolk Island Pine?

Yes, a Norfolk Island Pine can be used to create a beautiful Bonsai.

How do you decorate a Norfolk Island Pine for Christmas?

The green, needle-like leaves of Norfolk Island Pines add joy to your home. Decorate it with ornaments, angel ribbons, stars, bells and string lights.

How much light does a Norfolk Island Pine need?

Norfolk Island Pine trees prefer several hours of direct, bright light, but they can also tolerate indirect, bright light.

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Purnima Goswami Sharma

Purnima Goswami Sharma is a freelance writer based in Mumbai, who has been contributing to various newspapers, magazines and portals for the last two decades. Besides being a research writer for various TV shows, she has been a visiting faculty at SNDT for Communication Skills. She hold a master’s degree in English Literature from Mumbai University and a diploma in Communications and Journalism. She writes on diverse subjects like real estate, interiors, education, lifestyle, health, entertainment and environment.

Email: [email protected]