Norfolk Island Pine Trees for Sale - Buying & Growing Guide

Planting and Care

by Mary Van Keuren | Gardener (30+ Years Experience) – last update on February 28, 2022

Planting instructions

If planting outside, site your tree where it will be shaded from harsh afternoon sun. Indoors, choose a container that is one-third larger than the root ball, and use a potting mix that is sandy and somewhat acidic. Unpot your plant and tease out any encircling roots, which can girdle the tree and eventually kill it.

Dig a hole that is wider than the root ball and just as deep, and place your plant in it, holding it upright and steady. Fill in around it with more of the soil mix, tamping down as you go to eliminate air pockets. Once planted, water thoroughly. If planted outdoors, apply an organic mulch, such as bark chips, around the root zone to conserve moisture.

If your Norfolk Island pine tree seems at all wobbly, place several wooden or metal stakes about 8 inches from the trunk. Tie them loosely to the trunk with fabric ties (old pantyhose makes an excellent tie).

Watering and nutrients

The Norfolk Island pine is forgiving if you forget to water it, and it’s best to hold off on watering until the top of the soil feels dry. Usually, that means watering about once a week, with roughly an inch of water. Stop watering if water begins to run out of the container’s drainage holes.

Feed your container-grown Norfolk Island pine with a balanced liquid fertilizer throughout the growing season. During winter, scale back on fertilizing, as the plant won’t grow much at this time. Norfolk Island pines planted outdoors should be fed with a fertilizer designed for tropical trees, as per package directions.

Pruning

The lower branches of your Norfolk Island pine will slowly die out as new growth appears at the top of the tree. Prune them out as they turn brown. Also prune out any dead, diseased, or broken branches. It’s best not to prune the top of the tree, but if a container-grown plant is getting too tall, you can cut out the central leader (main top branch), which will cause multiple, smaller branches to appear.

Pests, diseases, and animals

Many of the insects that commonly bother houseplants, such as aphids, whiteflies, and scale insects, may be drawn to your Norfolk Island pine. Minor infestations can be manually removed by using a damp cloth to wipe out insects and their eggs. For a severe infestation, you may need to apply an insecticide formulated for houseplants, but avoid this if possible.

Anthracnose is a disease that may prey on your Norfolk Island pine. If you see sections of the tree turning yellow or brown, that may be the problem. Prune out any infected branches, and apply a light dose of a copper fungicide.

Achieving maximum results

It’s not hard to achieve maximum results with your Norfolk Island pine tree. These easy-going plants need little in the way of care. It’s important to remember that despite their name, Norfolk Island pines are not actually true pine trees. They have more in common with plants such as orchids. When caring for a Norfolk Island pine, you want to be sure that it is kept away from drafts and taken inside if the temperatures outside drop below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Like other tropical plants, they also benefit from high humidity, and misting the leaves once a week or having a tray full of pebbles and water near the plant will help it remain properly hydrated.

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