Araucariaceae
Araucaria heterophylla
Bring year-round evergreen elegance to your space with the Norfolk Island Pine. Its naturally symmetrical, layered branches create a premium “designer” look that instantly upgrades living rooms, entrances, and office receptions. Easy to maintain with bright light and sensible watering, it’s a long-lasting statement plant that stays beautifully green in every season.
1. Basic Identification
Common Name: Norfolk Island Pine
Botanical Name: Araucaria heterophylla
Former Name: Not available
Plant Type: Indoor evergreen houseplant
Plant Code / SKU: PLT-0372
Alternative Names:
Star Pine
Star of Norfolk
Living Christmas Tree
2. Taxonomy & Classification
Order: Pinales
Family: Araucariaceae
Genus: Araucaria
3. Origin & Distribution
Endemic to Norfolk Island in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. Widely cultivated as an ornamental in subtropical and temperate regions worldwide. Naturalized populations occur in parts of Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, and Taiwan.
4. Visual Characteristics
Evergreen conifer with a distinctly symmetrical, pyramidal form. Branches are arranged in horizontal tiers, each bearing soft, slender, needle-like juvenile leaves about 2–3 cm long. Mature bark is smooth and grayish brown.
5. Size & Dimensions
Indoors: typically reaches 1–3 m over many years, rarely exceeding 6 m. Outdoors: can grow 20–65 m tall with a trunk diameter up to 2 m. Growth rate is slow to moderate (10–30 cm per year).
6. Light Requirements
Prefers bright, indirect light. Tolerates a few hours of gentle morning or late afternoon sun. Avoid prolonged exposure to intense midday sun to prevent needle scorch. Rotate plant periodically for even canopy development.
7. Watering Needs
Keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Water when the top 2–3 cm of potting medium begins to dry. Reduce watering slightly in winter, but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
8. Soil & Potting
Use a well-draining, slightly acidic to neutral mix (pH 5.5–7.0). A blend of peat moss, pine bark, and perlite or coarse sand works well. Repot every 2–3 years or when roots become pot-bound, choosing a container only 2–3 cm larger in diameter.
9. Temperature & Humidity
Thrives in cool to moderate indoor temperatures of 15–24 °C. Avoid temperatures below 10 °C. Prefers high humidity (50–80%). Mist foliage regularly or use a humidifier to prevent needle browning and drop.
10. Fertilization
Apply a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer (e.g., 20-20-20) at half strength every 4–6 weeks during the active growth period (spring and summer). Discontinue feeding in autumn and winter.
11. Maintenance & Care Level
Easy to moderate care. Requires consistent moisture and humidity monitoring. Prune only dead or damaged branches. Rotate plant periodically for uniform growth. Dust needles occasionally to maintain appearance.
12. Growth & Propagation
Propagation is primarily by fresh seed; seeds germinate best when sown promptly in warm, moist conditions and lightly covered. Cuttings and grafting are generally unsuccessful. Seedlings emerge in 2–4 weeks under optimal conditions.
13. Common Problems
Browning or dropping needles from low humidity, fluoride toxicity (often from tap water), or overwatering. Root rot if soil is poorly drained. Pests include spider mites, mealybugs, and scale insects.
14. Benefits & Uses
Elegant ornamental for homes, offices, and holiday décor (“living Christmas tree”). Adds year-round greenery and architectural interest. Some air-purifying benefits by removing indoor pollutants.
15. Toxicity & Safety
Non-toxic to cats and dogs (source: ASPCA). Safe around children and pets, making it an ideal indoor ornamental for family environments.
Araucaria heterophylla
Bring year-round evergreen elegance to your space with the Norfolk Island Pine. Its naturally symmetrical, layered branches create a premium “designer” look that instantly upgrades living rooms, entrances, and office receptions. Easy to maintain with bright light and sensible watering, it’s a long-lasting statement plant that stays beautifully green in every season.
1. Basic Identification
Common Name: Norfolk Island Pine
Botanical Name: Araucaria heterophylla
Former Name: Not available
Plant Type: Indoor evergreen houseplant
Plant Code / SKU: PLT-0372
Alternative Names:
Star Pine
Star of Norfolk
Living Christmas Tree
2. Taxonomy & Classification
Order: Pinales
Family: Araucariaceae
Genus: Araucaria
3. Origin & Distribution
Endemic to Norfolk Island in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. Widely cultivated as an ornamental in subtropical and temperate regions worldwide. Naturalized populations occur in parts of Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, and Taiwan.
4. Visual Characteristics
Evergreen conifer with a distinctly symmetrical, pyramidal form. Branches are arranged in horizontal tiers, each bearing soft, slender, needle-like juvenile leaves about 2–3 cm long. Mature bark is smooth and grayish brown.
5. Size & Dimensions
Indoors: typically reaches 1–3 m over many years, rarely exceeding 6 m. Outdoors: can grow 20–65 m tall with a trunk diameter up to 2 m. Growth rate is slow to moderate (10–30 cm per year).
6. Light Requirements
Prefers bright, indirect light. Tolerates a few hours of gentle morning or late afternoon sun. Avoid prolonged exposure to intense midday sun to prevent needle scorch. Rotate plant periodically for even canopy development.
7. Watering Needs
Keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Water when the top 2–3 cm of potting medium begins to dry. Reduce watering slightly in winter, but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
8. Soil & Potting
Use a well-draining, slightly acidic to neutral mix (pH 5.5–7.0). A blend of peat moss, pine bark, and perlite or coarse sand works well. Repot every 2–3 years or when roots become pot-bound, choosing a container only 2–3 cm larger in diameter.
9. Temperature & Humidity
Thrives in cool to moderate indoor temperatures of 15–24 °C. Avoid temperatures below 10 °C. Prefers high humidity (50–80%). Mist foliage regularly or use a humidifier to prevent needle browning and drop.
10. Fertilization
Apply a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer (e.g., 20-20-20) at half strength every 4–6 weeks during the active growth period (spring and summer). Discontinue feeding in autumn and winter.
11. Maintenance & Care Level
Easy to moderate care. Requires consistent moisture and humidity monitoring. Prune only dead or damaged branches. Rotate plant periodically for uniform growth. Dust needles occasionally to maintain appearance.
12. Growth & Propagation
Propagation is primarily by fresh seed; seeds germinate best when sown promptly in warm, moist conditions and lightly covered. Cuttings and grafting are generally unsuccessful. Seedlings emerge in 2–4 weeks under optimal conditions.
13. Common Problems
Browning or dropping needles from low humidity, fluoride toxicity (often from tap water), or overwatering. Root rot if soil is poorly drained. Pests include spider mites, mealybugs, and scale insects.
14. Benefits & Uses
Elegant ornamental for homes, offices, and holiday décor (“living Christmas tree”). Adds year-round greenery and architectural interest. Some air-purifying benefits by removing indoor pollutants.
15. Toxicity & Safety
Non-toxic to cats and dogs (source: ASPCA). Safe around children and pets, making it an ideal indoor ornamental for family environments.