Norfolk Island Pine care — light, water, toxicity and hardiness
Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla) wants bright, indirect light and a drink about every 7 days once established. It is hardy in USDA zones 10 to 11. It is toxic to pets — worth keeping out of reach.
| scientific name | Araucaria heterophylla |
|---|---|
| family | Araucariaceae |
| category | houseplant |
| plant type | tender_perennial |
| light | bright, indirect light |
| water cadence days | 7 |
| min zone | 10 |
| max zone | 11 |
| frost tolerant | false |
| toxic to pets | true |
| edible | false |
How often should I water Norfolk Island Pine?
Keep lightly moist; let the surface dry between waterings.
Is Norfolk Island Pine toxic?
Mildly toxic to cats and dogs if eaten.
Who eats it
Palatable to browsing animals such as deer: low. Palatable to grazing animals: low. Palatable to people: no. USDA records its toxicity as slight.
What it needs
Its shade tolerance is medium. Its drought tolerance is medium. It wants at least about 34 inches of rain a year. Above roughly 157 inches of annual rain it struggles. It tolerates soil down to pH 4.6. It tolerates soil up to pH 7.8. Adapted to coarse, sandy soils: no. Adapted to medium, loamy soils: no. Adapted to fine, clay soils: no. It needs at least 365 frost-free days. Its salt tolerance is medium. Its fire tolerance is medium. Fire resistant: no. It has been recorded down to 35°F. It suppresses neighbours chemically: no.
How it grows
It grows as a single crown form. Its growth rate is rapid. Its lifespan is moderate. It resprouts after damage: no. Coppices: no. Its tolerance of hedging is low. At maturity it reaches about 50.0 feet. By twenty years it is about 40 feet. Its roots go down at least 36 inches. Its shape is conical. It holds its leaves through winter: yes.
What it looks like
Conspicuous in flower: no. The foliage is green. The foliage texture is coarse. Fall colour: no. The fruit or seed is brown. Fruit begins in summer. Fruit finishes by fall. The fruit persists on the plant: no. The fruit is conspicuous: no.
Growing more of it
Propagated by seed: yes. Propagated by cuttings: yes. Propagated by container: yes. Propagated by bare root: yes. Propagated by bulb: no. Propagated by corm: no. Propagated by tubers: no. Cold stratification required: no. Seedling vigour is medium.
Source: USDA PLANTS Database; US Cooperative Extension horticulture publications · ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List · 2026-09-02