Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla) | Indoor & Outdoor Evergreen

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Norfolk Island Pine

Araucaria heterophylla

A magnificent, prehistoric evergreen with perfectly tiered, horizontal branches and a symmetrical, pyramidal silhouette.

$299.00

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Description

Araucaria heterophylla, commonly known as the Norfolk Island Pine or Australian Pine, is a majestic evergreen conifer prized for its symmetrical, tiered branching pattern and elegant, pyramidal form. Native to the subtropical Norfolk Island in the South Pacific , this iconic tree is a living fossil, belonging to a prehistoric family that flourished during the Jurassic period . Its distinctive, perfectly horizontal branches are arranged in whorls, creating a striking, layered silhouette that makes it a popular ornamental for gardens, parks, and indoor settings . While it can reach towering heights in its natural habitat, it is also widely cultivated as a slow-growing houseplant .

Quick Facts

Foliage: Two distinct leaf types: on young trees, leaves are needle-like, curved, and up to 1.2 cm long; on mature trees, they are scale-like, overlapping, and broader .
Cones: Female cones are large, spherical, and spiny, measuring 9-13 cm in diameter ; mature cones are green .
Mature Height: Can reach 50-60 m (over 200 ft) in the wild ; as a landscape tree in suitable climates, typically grows 18-24 m (60-80 ft) ; as a houseplant, slow-growing and often stays under 2.5 m (8 ft) .
Mature Spread: 8-12 m (25-40 ft) in landscape settings.
Growth Rate: Moderate to fast outdoors; slow-growing indoors .
Hardiness Zones: USDA 9-11 (suitable for coastal and subtropical climates) .
Light Requirement: Full sun to partial shade .
Core Benefits: Iconic architectural form, excellent for coastal landscapes (salt-tolerant), unique prehistoric plant, popular as an indoor Christmas tree and potted plant .
Best Uses: Specimen tree in large gardens, coastal plantings, parks, street trees (in mild climates), indoor houseplant, holiday decoration .

Faqs

Q: Can I grow a Norfolk Island Pine indoors?
A: Yes, it is a popular and attractive houseplant. However, it requires bright, indirect light and high humidity to thrive indoors . It is a slow grower in a pot and will not reach its massive outdoor size .

Q: Is the Norfolk Island Pine a true pine tree?
A: No, despite its common name, it is not a true pine (Pinus). It belongs to the ancient family Araucariaceae, a group of conifers that dates back to the Jurassic period .

Q: Is it hardy and can it tolerate cold?
A: It is a tropical/subtropical tree and is not cold-hardy. It can only tolerate brief temperatures down to around 35°F (2°C) and is best suited for USDA zones 9-11 . It is, however, highly tolerant of salt spray, making it ideal for coastal gardens .

Q: Why are there two different types of leaves on my tree?
A: This is a normal characteristic of the species, known as "heterophylla" (meaning different leaves). Young trees and the side branches of mature trees have soft, needle-like, curved leaves, while the upper branches of mature, cone-bearing trees develop scale-like, overlapping leaves .

📍 Primary Delivery Area · San Francisco Bay Area

Local delivery across the Bay Area — and beyond.

San Francisco Bay Area is our primary local delivery market. Victory Nursery also serves additional California markets and selected extended delivery areas by arrangement.

Regular local delivery: San Francisco, Peninsula, South Bay, East Bay, Marin, Tracy / Mountain House and surrounding service areas.

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15 Gallon

One of the most common larger landscape sizes for trees and shrubs. It offers noticeable height and fullness while still being practical for many residential planting projects.

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Gallon describes the container size, not a guaranteed plant height. Individual plants vary. Contact our nursery for current measurements.

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