Description
Origin
Araucaria heterophylla, also known as the Norfolk Island pine, originates from Norfolk Island, located between New Zealand and New Caledonia. This island enjoys a subtropical climate, which provides an indication of the ideal growing conditions for this plant. Settlers brought the Norfolk Island pine to Europe, where it became very popular in the 19th century.
Characteristics
Araucaria heterophylla is an evergreen plant whose height can vary from a few meters in a living room to 60 meters in the wild. The plant is known for its distinctive pyramidal shape and dark green spiky needles. The trunk is usually covered with a pattern of diamond-shaped scars from dead branches. The Norfolk Island pine bears cones with seeds at the age of 15-20 years.
Care
For optimal growth, the Norfolk Island pine requires a bright location but does not tolerate direct sunlight. The plant thrives best at a constant room temperature slightly above 20 degrees Celsius and high humidity. During the growing season, from May to September, the soil should be kept consistently moist. Outside the growing season, the soil should slightly dry out between waterings. The Norfolk Island pine is not frost-resistant and cannot endure freezing.
