How To Care For Your Norfolk Island Pine Bonsai Tree

Araucaria Heterophilia Bonsai Care

About The Norfolk Island Pine Bonsai Tree

The Norfolk Island Pine (or star pine, as it's also known) is a traditional cone bearing pine tree, but it's more open and spacious than a traditional cold weather pine.

It has a light green foliage that darkens with age.

If you've ever traveled to the South Pacific, it is one of the most available trees in the region as it's a native to Norfolk Island (between Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia.)

The unusual appearance of this tree, with its widely spaced branches and symmetrical, triangular outline, has made it a popular species as a single upright tree, or in a forest planting.

Placement

Like most tropical trees, a Norfolk Island pine bonsai should remain indoors when the low temperatures reach 45 degrees F.

Make sure your Norfolk Island pine tree gets at least 6-8 hours of quality sunlight while indoors, either through a grow light or a southern window.  An eastern or western window sill would be sufficient, if it's giving 6+ hours of light.

They love high light!

In the summer, when the chance of dropping below 50 is gone, it can be placed outside for the season in high light.

Watering

Never let the soil completely dry out.  Whenever the soil seems dry, thoroughly water your tree until the water runs clear from the bottom.  In the growing season, this can be daily.

If you need help, a good moisture meter will guide you.

Humidity

If you ever need to take your Norfolk Island pine bonsai tree inside, including into a garage for the winter, using a humidity tray is recommended.  It will prevent the water from running on the floor, and can help keep the tree somewhat moist in the dry season.

Fertilizing

Since your Norfolk Island pine bonsai is in a small pot, and not the ground, it needs nutrients.  A slow release (pellet based) fertilizer is perfect for this, and can be added sparingly every 1-2 months during the growing season.

Pruning & Trimming

Trim back the new growth to the farthest safe point that looks good to you — but never remove all of the new growth.

A regular trim will help keep your Norfolk Island pine bonsai tree short, while helping the trunk grow thicker.

Repotting

Repotting must be performed periodically on your bonsai, Norfolk Island pine included, when its root system has filled the pot.  If you can clearly see the roots coming out of the bottom of the pot, it’s time to repot your bonsai.

Generally, this means every 2-3 years for a deciduous tree and every 4-5 years for an evergreen or tropical.

Repotting should be done in mid-summer, when the tree is at it’s least fragile state.

The Norfolk Island pine bonsai tree, along with all of its soil, should be removed from the pot.  From there, you can trim away no more than 1/3rd of the root mass (1/4th is preferred.) 

Then you can repot the tree in the same pot, or give it a newer / bigger pot to thrive in.

After repotting, your Norfolk Island pine bonsai should be thoroughly watered.

Diseases, Insects & Other Pests

Your Norfolk Island pine bonsai can be treated for pests like a normal Norfolk Island pine plant.  Just remember, your tree is miniature and will need a much smaller and more gentile dose of treatment.

If you're looking to buy a Norfolk Island pine pre bonsai for your home or office, we offer the finest artisan selection available.