Okay, here is a blog post about my experience with the temperature tolerance of Norfolk Island Pines:
So, I’ve been growing this Norfolk Island Pine for a while now, and let me tell you, figuring out the right temperature for this thing has been a journey. I got it as a cute little sapling, and it’s become quite the indoor tree. These guys are from the South Pacific, so you’d think they love the heat, right? Well, sort of.
I started by putting it in a sunny spot in my living room, thinking it would thrive there. I mean, they’re from a warm place, so more sun equals more happy, or so I thought. I made sure it got watered about every two weeks – didn’t want to drown it. Initially, I kept the room temperature around what I find comfortable, usually between 70-75 degrees Fahrenheit. It seemed to be doing okay, growing steadily, nothing too dramatic.
Then, winter came. My apartment gets a bit chilly, especially at night, and near the windows, it’s definitely drafty. I noticed the tree’s needles started to look a bit sad, not as vibrant. I started to worry and did some digging around. Turns out, these pines are not big fans of the cold. They really don’t like it when the temperature drops below, like, 35 degrees. I was definitely pushing it by keeping it near those drafty windows during the cold months.
After realizing my mistake, I moved the pine to a more stable spot, away from the windows and any direct blasts from the heater. This new place keeps a more consistent temperature, hovering between 65 and 70 degrees. And you know what? It made a difference. The pine started perking up, the needles got their green back, and it just seemed happier overall.
I also experimented a bit with the soil. I heard that coffee grounds could be good since these plants like slightly acidic soil. So, I mixed some into the soil, being careful not to overdo it. I don’t know if it was the coffee grounds or just getting the temperature right, but the tree definitely seems to appreciate it.
- Keep it warm: These trees really enjoy a cozy temperature range, ideally between 60-75 degrees Fahrenheit. They can handle a bit of a dip or a spike, but don’t push it.
- Avoid the cold: Seriously, keep them away from drafty windows or any place where it gets really cold. They’re not about that cold life.
- Steady as she goes: Consistent temperatures are key. Big fluctuations can stress them out, and nobody wants a stressed-out tree.
Getting the temperature right for my Norfolk Island Pine was a bit of trial and error, but it was worth it. It’s a beautiful tree, and now that I’ve got its preferences down, it’s really thriving. If you’re growing one of these, just remember they like it warm and steady, and you’ll do just fine.
