The Norfolk fir is a coniferous tree native to Norfolk Island in the Pacific Ocean, between Australia and New Zealand. Although not a true cypress, this Norfolk Island spruce is similar to a spruce and is often used as a Christmas tree. In the wild, this tree can reach a height of up to 60 m. Norfolk fir is also a great houseplant and can grow up to 1.5 to 2.5 m tall indoors. The secret to caring for this type of tree is to provide it with plenty of moisture and indirect sunlight, and to maintain an appropriate temperature range.
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Part 1 of 4: Providing Proper Nutrition
Step 1. Plant the tree in suitable soil
In the wild, Norfolk spruce grows in sandy, slightly acidic soil. This means that this tree needs well-drained soil which you can make by mixing the following ingredients in equal ratios:
- Land ready to plant
- Peat moss
- Sand
Step 2. Keep the soil slightly moist
Norfolk spruce likes soil that is evenly moist (like slightly damp conditions in a squeezed sponge), but not soggy. Before watering, stick your finger into the soil. If the top 2.5 cm of soil feels dry, rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water until the remaining water drains through the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot.
- Let the remaining water drain into the tray under the pot. Empty the tray when the water has stopped dripping.
- Even if it only happens once, extreme drought can cause needles and twigs to dry up and fall, and can't grow back.
Step 3. Make sure the Norfolk spruce gets plenty of indirect sunlight
Norfolk fir requires several hours of sun exposure per day, but does not like direct sunlight. A good location for this plant is a room with lots of windows facing northeast or northwest.
- You can also place Norfolk spruce in a room with windows facing south or west, but the windows must be shaded to protect the tree from direct sunlight.
- Another great location for the Norfolk cypress is the sunroom and canopied veranda.
Step 4. Apply fertilizer during the growing period
In spring, summer, and early fall, fertilize Norfolk spruce with a balanced fertilizer every two weeks. If the plant needs watering, mix a liquid fertilizer in the water and sprinkle it over the tree.
- A balanced fertilizer is a fertilizer that has the same ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (N, P, K).
- Norfolk fir does not need to be fertilized during the dormancy period in late fall and during winter.
- To find out when the tree's growth phase is restarting, examine the light green shoots at the ends of tree branches in spring.
Part 2 of 4: Growing Healthy Norfolk Fir
Step 1. Rotate the tree regularly
Like sunflowers facing the direction of the light, Norfolk spruce will grow or lean toward the light. To keep the tree growing evenly and not tilted, rotate the pot a quarter turn every week.
Don't push the tree too hard when turning the pot as this tree doesn't like being moved
Step 2. Keep the temperature right
Norfolk spruce does not like temperature extremes and cannot survive temperatures below 2 °C or above 24 °C. The ideal daytime temperature is around 16 °C. The ideal nighttime temperature should be slightly cooler, which is around 13 °C.
While the Norfolk spruce likes cool night temperatures, it does not like sudden changes. The shaded corner in the sunroom is a great spot for this type of tree because night temperatures will naturally drop as the sun goes down
Step 3. Provide additional moisture to the tree
In its natural habitat, Norfolk spruce grows in tropical locations near the sea, so it likes moist air. The ideal humidity for Norfolk fir is around 50%. You can maintain humidity by spraying the tree daily with room temperature water or by installing a humidifier nearby.
This extra humidity is especially important if you live in a cold or dry climate
Step 4. Trim off any browning or dead leaves
This type of tree does not require special pruning to enhance its appearance. The only pruning you should do is remove dead stems or browning tips of leaves. Use sharp cutting shears to cut off dead leaves.
If the Norfolk fir is pruned, the parts that have been trimmed will not grow anymore. So instead of stimulating new growth, pruning will only force the shoots to grow elsewhere and this will actually change the shape of the tree
Part 3 of 4: Choosing the Ideal Location
Step 1. Keep the tree away from gusts of wind
Both cold and hot air currents can cause Norfolk spruce needles to fall off. So, choose a location away from air intakes, fans, and heating or cooling vents.
Trees should also be placed away from doors and windows through which air flows
Step 2. Don't move the Norfolk spruce around
The root tissue in Norfolk spruce is very fragile and can be damaged easily when the tree is moved. Do not move trees unless absolutely necessary. Once you've found an ideal location where Norfolk spruce thrives, leave the tree there as long as possible.
- If you must move the tree, move it very carefully, in short distances, and gradually.
- Look for a location where the tree will not be accidentally moved, bumped, slammed, or pushed.
Step 3. Move the tree into a new pot every few years
Transplant Norfolk spruce in the spring every three or four years when roots begin to show at ground level. Prepare a new pot and fill it halfway with a mixture of soil, sand, and peat moss. Carefully dig the tree out of the first pot and transfer it to a new pot. Fill the pot to the brim and cover the root tissue with the soil mixture.
- Each time you move the tree into a new pot, choose a pot one size larger than the current pot.
- The pot should have good drainage holes in the bottom to allow any residual water to drip out.
- Although Norfolk spruce does not like to be moved, it should be transplanted into a new pot and given fresh soil to accommodate the growth of root tissue.
Part 4 of 4: Troubleshooting Common Problems
Step 1. Reduce watering if the trunk appears weak and yellowing
Norfolk spruce likes moist soil, but does not do well in areas with excessive water content. If the tree trunk looks weak or begins to turn yellowish, reduce the frequency of watering.
- Norfolk fir only needs watering when the top 2.5 cm of soil is dry.
- Yellow needle leaves will also fall off if the tree is watered excessively.
Step 2. Adjust the frequency of watering if the needles turn yellowish
Yellowish needle leaves (but still strong stems) indicate that the tree lacks water. Water the tree thoroughly when the soil is dry, and provide additional moisture.
You can increase the humidity level by spraying the tree daily
Step 3. Give more light exposure if the lower stems turn brown
Notice if the lower stems turn brown and wilt. This is a sign that the tree is not getting enough light. Move the tree closer to a northeast or northwest facing window, a shaded south or west window, or to a veranda.
- Norfolk spruce needs lots of indirect sunlight.
- If the tree can't get enough natural light, use a full-spectrum bulb designed for plants.
Step 4. Adjust the humidity level if the needles fall
Falling green leaves is a sign of several problems, one of which is humidity levels that are too low or too high. Generally, this is an indication that the humidity level is too low. If the soil feels dry and you don't water it often, water more often. If the soil feels damp and you water it often, water less often.
