Norfolk Island pine is not an actual pine tree, but rather a relative of the monkey puzzle tree. It has a very straight trunk and pleasingly symmetrical branches covered with short, inward-curving needles, also called leaves.

The tree may be toxic to cats and dogs.

Light

Although they prefer full sun whenever possible, Norfolk Island pines can also handle relatively long periods (months at a time) in dimmer conditions. Thus, you can keep your potted plant indoors during the winter and then move it to a sunny spot outdoors when the summer comes around.

If your plant begins to stretch while growing inside, the odds are that the combination of low light and heavy fertilizer is causing leggy growth. In that case, cut back on the fertilizer until the plant has more access to sunlight. It's helpful to turn it frequently so every side gets equal light.

Soil

These are acid-loving plants. For indoor plants, a peat-based potting mixture is perfect for them as the mix will gradually acidify as the peat breaks down.

When planted outdoors in the garden, this tree prefers a sandy but rich soil, preferably amended with peat.

Water

Norfolk Island pines are somewhat drought- and also salt-tolerant, so they forgiving where water is concerned. It's advisable to let the soil dry out slightly between waterings. This will mean watering the plant once every one to two weeks if it's an indoor plant. Water an indoor plant until excess moisture starts draining out of the bottom of the pot.