Norfolk Island Pines work well for holiday decor and all year round

In parts of Austria and Germany in the 18th century, holiday evergreen trees were hung upside-down from the ceiling. It actually made sense, when you consider most working people had very small common rooms, and there was virtually no free floor space. So, this year perhaps don’t hang your tree upside-down, but get a live Christmas tree from “down under” – the Australian Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla.)

These delightful, soft-needled pines are native to Norfolk Island, a place so rural and remote you legally must yield to cows on the road. Because of this rural informality, most Norfolk Islanders go by nicknames, so the Norfolk Island phone book lists people by their nicknames.

Norfolk Island Pines are tropical plants that live quite well in the typical American home. When small, set them on a mantel, a tabletop or plant strands. Decorate them as a Christmas tree or leave them plain with perhaps a holiday bow. As they grow taller, use them as floor plants to add brilliant green to any dark corner. They also do well in brighter spots such as airy living rooms and sun porches. Their needles are soft to the touch, so you can place your indoor Norfolk Island Pine almost anywhere without worrying about scratching people.

The needles bend slightly downward for a graceful, drooping effect. Norfolk Island Pines do not like being disturbed, so only repot them when they are root-bound. This means you can keep them in the same pots for years before transplanting them. Use a potting soil that is light and drains well, with a mix of peat moss or perlite and vermiculite that will keep the dirt from getting heavy and compacted. You can add a slow-release, granular house plant fertilizer to the soil.

Water your Norfolk Island Pine trees infrequently, as they prefer to dry out a bit in between waterings. The best way to tell if your tree needs water is from the weight of the pot. If the potted tree is heavy and the branches are upright, your tree doesn't need water. You can also stick your finger into the soil and only water when the soil is dry an inch or two deep. Try not to get water on the foliage, because this can damage the plant. When in doubt, it is best to err on the side of too little water, rather than too much.

These miniature trees grow well in bright, indirect light with high humidity. Put a tray of pebbles and water beneath each pine for added humidity. They can handle a bit of direct light, but too much direct sun can burn the plant. If your Norfolk Island Pine is not getting enough light, the needles will turn yellow, and the branches will sag.

Choose a Norfolk Island Pine for Christmas and you will have a living, breathing plant all year that will clean your indoor air and provide years of greenery. Whether you hang it upside-down from the ceiling is up to you!