Norfolk Island Pine: A Living Christmas Tree and More

  

  

Norfolk Island Pines are tropical evergreen trees that you can grow indoors year-round.  If you are looking for a living Christmas tree alternative, then this is the houseplant for you.  

 

You can find Norfolk Island Pines in a variety of sizes, from less than a foot to over 5' tall. The smaller trees make ideal table-top Christmas trees.  

 

Keeping your Norfolk pine healthy and looking good through the holidays and beyond comes down to these things. Norfolk pines prefer bright, indirect light, at least 6 hours a day. It's a good idea to turn them every few weeks to keep them from growing lopsided.  

 

They do their best with consistent watering, like most houseplants. Water your tree when the top inch or two of the soil feels dry. Water thoroughly and be sure there is no standing water left in the saucer under the plant. 

 

Norfolk pines like to be in place where the room temperature is sixty to seventy degrees and away from drafts.  

 

The more difficult part of keeping your Norfolk pine looking lush is to provide sufficient humidity. Norfolk pines like high humidity.  

 

Some ways to increase room humidity are to group your plants close together, use a pebble tray under the tree, or add a room humidifier.  A pebble tray is an effective way to raise the humidity level around your plants. Fill a saucer with rocks and add water until the rocks are slightly above the water line; then place the plant on top of the rocks. Make sure the water level is below the bottom of the pot.   

 

 

There's no need to fertilize Norfolk Pines during this time of year. 

With a little care, your Norfolk Island Pine will be around for many Christmases to come.  

Gift Ideas for the Gardener on your List

 

Whether you’re shopping for an experienced gardener who seems to already have everything or someone who's just starting off, these thoughtful gifts are sure to be used – and appreciated – by the green thumb on your list.    

  

Having the right gardening tool can transform everyday tasks into enjoyable experiences – making them ideal gifts for any gardener. This is true whether the gardener on your list enjoys growing tomatoes, vegetables, flowers, or roses; the right tools will make every job easier.  

 

If you’re searching for a gift that will quickly become a favorite in any gardener’s toolkit, consider the hori-hori gardening knife—a truly versatile tool perfect for digging, planting, weeding, and so much more. 

Hori-hori combines many of the features of your larger garden tools into a single, smaller form. Hori-hori comes from the Japanese word "hori", which means "to dig". Once you start using your hori-hori, you'll discover you can use this tool to accomplish many tasks in your garden, including digging, planting, weeding, cutting open bags, mixing soil and dividing plants. In fact, once you figure out how useful a garden knife is, you'll want to have it with you every time you walk into the garden.  

 

A good set of pruners is another essential tool for every gardener. They'll use them to prune roses, perennials, shrubs, and small tree limbs. Choose a quality bypass pruner for the best results.   

 

Garden scoops and trowels are useful for many tasks, including digging, weeding, filling pots with soil, and planting. These tools are hand-forged with hardwood handles and will last.   

 

Garden kneeler benches are versatile 2‑in‑1 tools that function both as cushioned kneelers and sturdy seats, making them ideal for longer gardening sessions and for gardeners who need a little extra support when standing up. Whether you’re pruning, weeding, or planting, garden kneelers help protect your knees and make it easier to move around your garden or patio. 

 

Looking for a unique gift for the indoor gardener on your list? A meter is a handy tool to check soil moisture on potted houseplants.  

 

Trimming scissors and floral snips with an ergonomic finger rest are useful gifts for maintaining houseplants.    

 

 

SUPERThrive® is a great supplement to houseplant fertilizers. Fortified with Kelp, SUPERthrive helps plants develop strong root systems and encourages growth.  

SUNBRITE is a concentrated all-purpose cleaning product, non-toxic and biodegradable, useful for cleaning a variety of work tools and surfaces.  

While the gardeners on your list might not be working outside planting this time of year, it's never too early to start prepping for their next outdoor project. Seed starting supplies, including seeds, soil, heat mats and grow lights are always welcome.

 

Still not sure? A Flower Bin gift card is always a good choice.