The branches normally grow horizontally with narrow, sharp needle-like leaves that form a fan. Norfolk Island Pine resembles a fir tree and can be decorated at Christmastime. Other times of the year it is a very attractive tree for growing indoors. Water thoroughly and discard drainage. Let the plant rest during the winter by suspending fertilizing, and watering very little.
SOIL Make a mix of equal parts of peat moss or leaf mold, and perlite or vermiculite.
Do not add more fertilizer to this mixture for at least a year. Remove entire branches if necessary. Poor drainage, too frequent watering, or standing in water will cause root rot. Leaves will drop if soil is too wet or too dry. Dropping of older leaves and lower branches is natural.