This tropical evergreen tree is well loved for its dark green needles and completely symmetrical form. It can easily be grown indoors as a houseplant growing up to 20' tall with appropriate cultural care.

CULTURAL REQUIREMENTS

Light: Araucaria needs bright light preferably eastern or western exposure and will retain best foliage color with one to two hours of sunlight per day.

Watering: When soil feels slightly dry to the touch, water your Norfolk Island Pine thoroughly being sure that the water goes into a saucer. After 15 minutes discard all excess water that the tree has not taken back up.

Temperature: The Norfolk Island Pine grows best in temperatures between 60 and 72º F during the day and 50º to 65º F at night.

Humidity: A relative humidity above 50% is preferred to successfully grow Norfolk pine indoors. Provide additional humidity by misting twice daily. An excellent method of providing extra moisture is to stand plants on shallow trays filled with moistened pebbles, and/or use a humidifier.

Feeding: Feed Araucaria only during the growing season (March through September) with a dilute, standard, liquid fertilizer once every two weeks.

Transplanting: When roots begin to grow out of the bottom of the pot, transplant into the next largest size pot (always use the deepest pot with this tree). Use a soil mixture of equal parts sterilized houseplant potting soil. peat moss and sand/or perlite, with a tablespoon of bone meal.

Propagation: Only a tip cutting from the very top of old plants will develop into a completely symmetrical specimen so the easiest method to grow Araucaria is from seed.

Maintenance: To keep its growth most symmetrical, turn it slightly every week. Supply extra humidity to avoid the common problem when needles turn brown and dry up by.

Special Note: Give the Norfolk Island pine as much natural light as possible in the winter months to assure good symmetrical development.


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