If you were thinking the Norfolk Pine is a pine tree, then you would be mistaken. The “Norfolk” in its name refers to its birthplace, Norfolk Island, located in the south Pacific, between New Zealand and Australia. It is related to the monkey puzzle tree, a conifer that’s native to Chile and is the country’s national tree.

Young Norfolk Pine trees can be decorated at Christmas time and placed on a tabletop, making it the perfect holiday choice when space is at a premium. But don’t throw your tree away when the season is over; keep it year around to grace your home with its gently, drooping branches. It’s also popular in the islands as an outdoor landscape tree and can reach heights of up to 200 feet.

The Norfolk Pine isn’t as hardy as a typical pine tree. So give it the same tender, loving care as you would your orchids or gardenias. Be patient – it is a slow grower when young but picks up growth speed as it matures.

Growing Tips*

• Plant outdoors in full sunlight if possible and indoors in a southern exposure.
• Use a slightly acidic, peat-amended, sandy soil outdoors and a peat-based potting mixture with indoor plants.
• Allow the soil to dry out a bit between waterings. Increase water if the needles begin to yellow.
• Use a water-soluble, balanced fertilizer during the growing season. Decrease applications when light is low to prevent the tree from stretching too much.
• Remove lower, dead branches from indoor trees; outdoor trees require little pruning other than the removal of diseased or dead branches.

*These Growing Tips are general in nature. Environments and conditions vary. For specific advice on your growing environment, talk to one of our specialists at a Ko’olau Farmers near you.

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