Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

Norfolk Island Pine is an evergreen tree native to Norfolk Island in the South Pacific, but it is not a true pine. Its branches spread in nearly horizontal tiers, and young plants have soft, bright green leaves. In the United States, it is grown indoors or as an outdoor tree in warm areas, and young plants are sold as living Christmas trees.

Appearance

Appearance: A straight trunk carries open, nearly horizontal tiers of branches. A landscape tree can reach about 60–80 ft (18–24 m) in Florida.
Leaves: Young foliage is soft and bright green; mature branches also develop shorter, scale-like leaves.
Fruit: Mature trees make large seed cones, but cones are uncommon on cultivated plants.

Look-alikes

Cook pineAraucaria columnaris

Mature Norfolk Island Pines usually have a broader crown, while Cook pines stay narrow and column-like. Young potted trees can be hard to tell apart in photos.

Why they get mixed upBoth are tiered araucarias grown as ornamentals.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: Houseplants
Warm-climate landscapes
Range: It is native to Norfolk Island in the South Pacific. In the United States it is grown indoors and as a landscape tree in warm areas such as Florida.
Preferred conditions: Outdoor planting suits very warm areas. A potted plant needs bright light and soil that does not stay waterlogged.

Growing it

Care: Young plants are sold as living holiday trees. Outdoors, allow room for a full-sized tree rather than treating it as a small patio plant.
Propagation: Growers can raise new trees from seeds or cuttings taken from upright shoot tips.

Conservation

IUCN Red List: VUVulnerableHigh risk of extinction in the wild

Culture and stories

Culture and stories: Norfolk Island Pine is also called star pine.

10 sources