Norfolk Island pine care
Araucaria heterophylla — also called Norfolk pine. Everything below is the same data Plantroster uses to schedule care for this species.
Care at a glance
| Light | Very bright indirect to direct. Tolerates bright. Needs strong light or it goes sparse and droopy. |
|---|---|
| Water | About every 7 days in summer, every 12 in winter. Let the top 1" dry first. |
| Soil | Standard houseplant mix — 7 parts potting mix, 3 parts perlite |
| Humidity | At least 45%, happiest near 60% |
| Temperature | 60–75°F. Cold damage below 35°F; heat stress in sun above 90°F. |
| Feeding | Every ~60 days while actively growing. Nothing in winter. |
| Repotting | Every 3 years, or when roots circle the pot |
| Tap water | Tolerates tap water |
| Pets & children | Toxic. Mildly toxic to cats and dogs. |
What people get wrong about norfolk island pine
Brown branches never green up again — prune them off. Prevent by never letting it dry out and keeping humidity up in winter.
Common problems
Watch for spider mites, scale, mealybugs. Check leaf undersides monthly — backlighting a leaf against a window is the fastest way to catch mite webbing before an infestation takes hold.
Plantroster tracks this plant's watering, feeding and repotting cadence against your actual weather — and tells you when a cold night or heatwave means moving it.
Open PlantrosterNorfolk Island pine FAQ
How often should I water a norfolk island pine?
Roughly every 7 days in the growing season and every 12 days in winter, but treat that as a starting point rather than a rule — light, pot size and your home's warmth all shift it. Keep lightly moist. It browns permanently if allowed to dry out hard.
Is norfolk island pine toxic to cats and dogs?
Yes. Mildly toxic to cats and dogs. Keep it out of reach of pets that chew plants.
How much light does a norfolk island pine need?
Very bright indirect to direct is ideal, and it will cope with bright. Needs strong light or it goes sparse and droopy.
Why does my norfolk island pine have brown tips?
Norfolk Island pine is not fluoride-sensitive, so brown tips here usually point to inconsistent watering or fertilizer salts built up in old soil. Flush the pot thoroughly and keep to a steadier watering rhythm.
What soil is best for norfolk island pine?
Standard houseplant mix: 7 parts potting mix, 3 parts perlite. Bagged potting soil alone stays too wet in an indoor pot; perlite fixes the drainage.
Other plant guides
General horticultural guidance, not a substitute for inspecting your own plant. Toxicity notes are a starting point — if a pet or child has eaten part of a plant, contact a vet or poison control rather than relying on this page.