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Norfolk Island Pine
Araucaria heterophylla
Reviewed by Kiersten Rankel M.S.
QUICK ANSWER
Seed germination is the only home method that produces a properly shaped Norfolk Island Pine, and seedlings reach a foot tall in 12 to 18 months. Tip cuttings will root but always grow sideways instead of upright, so seeds are worth the wait.
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Seed germination
Time
12–18 months to 1 foot tall
Level
Intermediate
Success rate
Moderate
You'll need
Fresh Norfolk Island Pine seeds (under 6 months old)
4-inch deep pots with drainage
A 50/50 mix of seed-starting mix and perlite
A clear plastic dome or bag
Bottom heat from a seedling mat (recommended)
1
Source fresh seeds
Norfolk Island Pine seeds lose viability fast. Buy from a specialty seed source that lists a recent harvest date or collect from a mature tree in zones 9 to 11. Seeds older than 6 months germinate poorly even when stored in the fridge.
2
Soak seeds for 24 hours
Drop the seeds in a cup of room-temperature water and let them sit overnight. Viable seeds sink within a few hours. Discard any that still float at 24 hours, those are empty shells with no embryo inside.
3
Sow point-down half an inch deep
Fill deep pots with the perlite and seed-starting mix. The seeds are large, almond-shaped, and have a clear pointed end. Push each seed point-down so the rounded end sits about half an inch below the surface. Water gently to settle the soil.
4
Cover with a dome and add bottom heat
Place a clear dome or plastic bag over each pot to hold humidity at 80 percent. Set the pots on a seedling heat mat at 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Bottom heat is the difference between germination in 6 to 8 weeks and germination never happening at all. Cooler conditions stall the seeds indefinitely.
Bottom heat is the difference between germination in 6 to 8 weeks and germination never happening at all. Cooler conditions stall the seeds indefinitely.
5
Keep moist and watch for sprouts
Check moisture weekly and mist the surface if it dries out. Germination takes 6 to 12 weeks even with bottom heat. The first thing you see is a thick green spike emerging straight up, which then unfurls into a tiny tier of needles.
6
Remove the dome and grow on slowly
Once the first whorl of needles opens, take off the dome but keep the pot on the heat mat for another 2 weeks. Move to bright indirect light at room temperature.
Feed monthly with a quarter-strength balanced fertilizer once the seedling has 2 whorls. They reach a foot tall by 12 to 18 months and are slow but reliable from there.
Feed monthly with a quarter-strength balanced fertilizer once the seedling has 2 whorls. They reach a foot tall by 12 to 18 months and are slow but reliable from there.
WATCH FOR
Seeds rot before sprouting or never sprout at all. Rotting smells sour and turns the seed black, usually from soggy soil or no bottom heat. Empty seeds simply never swell or change color. There is no rescue, just start over with fresher seed and confirm the heat mat is holding 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit at the soil line.
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About This Article
Kiersten Rankel M.S.
Botanical Data Lead at Greg · Plant Scientist
Editorial Process
Propagation methods verified against Araucaria heterophylla growth data from Greg's botanical database, cross-referenced with USDA hardiness zone data and published horticultural research.
7,552+ Greg users growing this plant
USDA hardiness zones 9a–11b