Norfolk Island Pine is grown for its foliage and the structure it brings to a planting. It's hardy across USDA zones 10 through 11 and shrugs off deer. It roots deep, which helps it reach moisture in a dry spell and open up tight soil as it establishes.
Zones
10-11
pH Range
4.5-7.5
Sun
Full Sun
Days to Maturity
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Score Norfolk Island Pine on your exact land.
Zone averages can't see the slope, soil, frost, and sun that decide whether norfolk island pine actually takes — and those shift from one yard to the next. Enter your address and we'll score norfolk island pine against your land's real conditions.
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What Norfolk Island Pine is
Norfolk Island Pine grows as a perennial and reaches around six feet at maturity. It blooms in spring. It's also deer-resistant.
How to grow Norfolk Island Pine
Norfolk Island Pine grows in USDA zones 10 through 11. Norfolk Island Pine does best in full sun — at least 6 hours of direct sun a day — and soil from pH 4.5 to 7.5, on well-drained ground. It needs a growing season of at least 210 frost-free days, which is why climate matters as much as soil.
USDA Zones
10-11
USDA PHZM 2023
Soil pH
4.5 - 7.5
USDA PLANTS Database
Sun
Full Sun
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Drainage
well (dry spells)
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Frost Tolerance
41°F
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Mature Height
6 ft
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Frost-Free Days
210+
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Start the season right
Plant norfolk island pine in full sun with at least 6 hours of direct sun, once the soil has warmed and frost risk has passed.
Match the soil
Norfolk Island Pine prefers pH 4.5 to 7.5 (USDA PLANTS Database). A quick soil test from your local Extension lab tells you whether to add lime or sulfur to land in band.
Water steadily
Keep the root zone evenly moist through establishment. A 2–3 inch mulch layer holds moisture without waterlogging.
Keep it in good form
Prune norfolk island pine to shape as it grows; the reward is its foliage and structure, not a harvest, so steady upkeep is the whole job.
Good to know
Good news for pet owners — norfolk island pine isn't known to be toxic to dogs or cats. (Source: ASPCA.)
Norfolk Island Pine isn't classified as a notable pollinator plant in our data — pair it with high-value bloomers nearby to feed bees.
Where Norfolk Island Pine thrives
Norfolk Island Pine is hardy across USDA zones 10 through 11. Zone is only the starting point, though: the soil pH, drainage, and frost dates on your specific land decide how well it actually does.
Zones 10–11·Where Norfolk Island Pine growsOpen map →
On USDA hardiness-zone overlap, Norfolk Island Pine can grow in these states:
See if Norfolk Island Pine will thrive on your land
Zone averages are a start. Your exact soil pH, drainage, sun exposure, and frost dates shape whether norfolk island pine actually takes — we score it against the real conditions at your address.
Three things about your exact spot that zone averages miss:
We read public map data for this spot — soil, climate, flood, and parcel records. How we handle your address.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I grow Norfolk Island Pine in my zone?
Norfolk Island Pine grows in USDA hardiness zones 10 through 11 (USDA PHZM 2023). Zone is one factor — soil pH, drainage, and frost dates on your specific parcel also shape whether it takes.
When should you plant Norfolk Island Pine?
Most growers plant norfolk island pine after the last spring frost, once the soil has warmed, leaving enough of the season for its 210-day frost-free need. Your local frost dates set the exact window — a Growable Ground report reads them for your address.
How much sun does Norfolk Island Pine need?
Norfolk Island Pine needs full sun — a spot that catches at least 6 hours of direct summer sun a day. In more shade it still grows, but usually gives a smaller, later crop. The catch is that a yard rarely gets even light everywhere — a fence, the house, or one tall tree can quietly take those hours. A Growable Ground report reads the real sun-hours across your land, canopy and buildings included, so you can pick the brightest bed before you plant.
What soil does Norfolk Island Pine need?
Norfolk Island Pine prefers soil pH 4.5 to 7.5, on well-drained ground (USDA PLANTS Database). Your report scores your parcel's actual soil against that using USDA SSURGO data.
Does Norfolk Island Pine attract pollinators?
Norfolk Island Pine isn't classified as a notable pollinator plant in our data. Pairing it with high-value bloomers nearby keeps bees and butterflies fed.
Is Norfolk Island Pine safe for pets?
Norfolk Island Pine is not known to be toxic to dogs or cats based on available data (ASPCA). Always supervise pets around new plantings.