Q&A for How to Care for a Norfolk Pine

Yes, outdoor Norfolks pretty much take care of themselves. They're drought-resistant so they don't need a lot of water.

Some people say you can cut the top off (and even root it) without issue, and others say that even if the plant survives the ordeal, it will grow crooked and ugly ever after. So, it's really up to you. You could try topping it, and hope for the best. Or you could try to sell it, or donate it to a church or hospital.

You're going to need to be extremely careful when moving your Norfolk pine. Trees' root systems generally extend horizontally to twice as many feet as the tree is high. Damaging the roots can kill the tree. If the tree is a few feet tall, you could try moving it in the winter. Otherwise, it may be best to consult a tree professional.

No, they can almost handle no frost. They are not true pines, and are only hardy in USDA zones 10 and 11, meaning they thrive in areas like southern California or Florida.

If it is spring, it may be the new growth that is showing. Are the tips looking soft and new? If so, your tree is growing.

Cut the branch where the color change starts; this may involve cutting the entire branch off. Do this as soon as the branch starts to turn brown.

Norfolk Island pines are tropical plants, so they can only be planted outside in tropical climates. In areas of the world where winters are cool (below 35 F or 2 C) or the air is dry, a Norfolk Island pine won't survive. If you ever get near freezing temperatures where you live, then you're best to leave the tree as a potted plant. In tropical areas, you can plant the tree out side in well-draining soil, somewhere that it will get lots of indirect sunlight.

Try increasing the humidity by misting the tree with non-chlorinated water a couple times a day. Or, try placing its pot on a tray full of pebbles with water in it, to allow for gentle uptake of water.

Chlorinated water has been treated with a chemical called chlorine. Chlorine is used to kill certain bacteria, in order to prevent sicknesses from spreading.

Browning branches may mean that you're not watering enough, watering too much, or need to mist the plant with non-chlorinated, room temperature water.

This will only work if you are using a cutting from the tip (3-4 inches) and not the entire branch. However, this will result in a lop-sided tree if it ever takes root. To start a new tree or to grow one from cuttings, you should cut from the top of an existing tree. The new budding shoots are where you should take cuttings. The downside to this is that the tree from which you take these cuttings will cease to grow upwards.

They will no longer grow back from where they were cut off. However, existing branches will continue to grow and widen.

Drooping isn't a sign of good health and growth. It's a sign of poor health. It's either being over watered or overfed.

Yes, mine does. It starts of slowly but the sprouts are definitely there! They come in soft and lighter in color, similar to the growth phase in spring.

Fill the new pot about 1/3 with fresh potting soil. Next, firmly pull the pine out of its old pot; try to remove as much dirt as you can from the roots. Once you have done that, put the pine into the new pot, and fill the pot almost to the top with more potting soil. Finally, water the pine until the soil is saturated.

The plant has a sensitive root system, so right off it sounds touchy. If you want to continue, look at the root at the base. If it is one solid base root with all the feeders, I wouldn't even try. If it is a root system like small bulbs that look like they can be gently taken apart then you could attempt it, but remember, the root system is very fragile.

Yes, in the summer month before the temperature drop below 40F, that's okay. Watch for strong winds, though, as it falls down easilyy.

It's possible, but depending on the thickness of the trunk, you would have more success with wiring it.

Keep it in good sunlight and make sure it has plenty of water. It will help the bottom branches grow more and help the tree grow to its fullest.

Yes, that is normal, although it may mean your tree needs additional watering.

Consumption of this tree by cats has been known to cause gastrointestinal upset and dermatitis. Eating the plant or drinking water that's been in contact with the plant may also make cats sick. It hasn't been proven that the tree itself is toxic; it may be that chemicals used to produce this trees in a way that makes them suitable as houseplants, when consumed, makes cats unwell.

If it is winter in the house, most likely low moisture is to blame. Put it outside in semi-shade in the summer and drip the plant with water every day for a few minutes if it is hot and dry.

Yes, the Norfolk pine is easily blown over in the wind. It has been my experience that they "sunburn" easily as well.

Yes, but it is difficult and you may not be successful. The tips that you trim off will not continue to grow, and your plant may become lopsided.

Norfolk pines will do alright indoors, as long as you provide full-spectrum light (a grow light) and humidity. Full-spectrum light bulbs are often available at hardware stores. They also prefer 12-14 hours of light if kept indoors. The ideal setup would be a desk lamp with a full-spectrum bulb plugged into a timer, and rotate the plant 90 degrees each week so it doesn't grow lopsided. Place the pot on top of some pebbles in a tray of water so it has the humidity it needs without soaking the roots. Make sure you're not under the heating or AC vent.

Yes. Anecdotally, I re-potted a christmas tree Norfolk Island pine tree in regular potting soil and it has thrived. You definitely want to plant it in something with good drainage however. You don't want it sitting in soggy potting soil for extended periods of time.

We moved a six foot Norfolk Pine when moving from NY to Tennessee. We put it on the floor in the back seat, moved the front seat up to give it room. It did bend a bit, but came right back when it got out of the car.

Yes they can! But you must make sure the don’t crowd each other too much. If one begins to die while the other one is taking it over, you might want to separate them. Just remember the roots are fragile and don’t like to be moved a lot.