Norfolk Island pine
Also called House pine, Norfolk pine, Australian pine.
| Light | bright indirect light |
|---|---|
| Water | Every 7 days in the growing season, every 14 in winter |
| Pets | Cats safe, dogs safe |
Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants, Australian Pine entry.
From one small island in the Pacific, this is a genuine conifer grown as a houseplant, in soft symmetrical tiers that look artificial until you touch them. It is sold everywhere in December as a living Christmas tree, and most of those are dead by March for two reasons: a hot dry room and a pot allowed to dry out. It wants the opposite of both. Keep it cool, bright and lightly moist, away from radiators, and it will grow slowly into a proper small tree over a decade. The one thing to know before you buy is that a branch lost to drought is lost permanently, because it does not resprout from bare wood. It is also safe for cats and dogs.
Ailments observed
| Brown crisp edges on the leaves | Dry air, which is the usual complaint in a heated room in winter. Move it away from radiators, raise the humidity and keep the compost from drying out. A cool room suits it far better than a warm one. |
|---|---|
| Leaves falling off | A dry spell, and the lost branches do not come back. Water on a steadier rhythm. This is the plant to remember when someone says a houseplant always recovers. |
Filed underPlants that will not poison the cat, Plants for a bedroom, Plants for humid air, Statement plants
Neighbouring entries
Apple
Malus domesticaApples: the bare root planting months for each hemisphere, when the fruit is actually ready to pick, and what the codling moth leaves behind in it.
Corn plant
Dracaena fragransCorn plant care for an office corner, with the long watering interval it wants, why the tips brown, and how to cut a bare cane back.
Dragon tree
Dracaena marginataDragon tree care for an office or a hallway, with how often to water, why the tips brown, and how to cut a bare stem so it branches.