Hey everyone, so I’ve been messing around with this Norfolk Island Pine, yeah, the one that looks like a mini Christmas tree. I got curious about the whole temperature thing for these plants, so I did a little experiment. Figured I’d share what I found out, might help someone out there!
First off, I learned these little guys are from the South Pacific, so they dig warm weather. I grabbed my thermometer and started checking the temperature in my apartment. I was aiming for something between 65°F to 85°F, which is about 18°C to 30°C. I read somewhere that they don’t like it below 60°F (that’s 15°C), so I made sure to keep an eye on that.

I started by putting my Norfolk Pine near a sunny window but not directly in the sunlight. I noticed that the temperature there was pretty stable, usually around 70°F. Good start, I thought. The plant seemed happy, the needles stayed nice and green.
My Experiment
Then I got a bit adventurous. I moved the plant to a cooler spot in my place, where it was closer to 60°F. I watched it closely for a few days. It didn’t immediately freak out, but after a while, I noticed the needles didn’t look as vibrant. Hmm, not a fan of the cold, I guess.
- Day 1-3: Kept the plant at around 70°F. The plant looked happy, no issues.
- Day 4-7: Moved it to a cooler spot, around 60°F. The needles started to look a bit dull.
- Day 8-10: Moved it back to the warmer spot. It perked up a bit, needles getting their color back.
Next, I tried the opposite. I don’t have a super warm room, but I do have a spot that gets a bit toasty, especially in the afternoon. It can get up to 80°F there. I put the plant there for a few days. It didn’t immediately wither or anything, but it just didn’t seem as happy as it was at 70°F. It made me think they’re more like Goldilocks, they want it just right! And my plant is thriving after I moved it back to the 70°F spot.
So, what did I learn from all this? Well, my Norfolk Pine definitely prefers that sweet spot of around 70°F. It can handle a little cooler or a little warmer, but it’s happiest in that mild temperature range. I also realized that watching your plant is key. It’ll tell you if it’s not happy, you just gotta pay attention to the signs, like the color of the needles.
Anyway, that’s my little temperature adventure with my Norfolk Island Pine. Hope this helps someone else out there trying to keep their plant buddy happy! It’s all about experimenting and paying attention, and you’ll find that sweet spot for your plant too!