Can a Norfolk Island Pine get enough light from a north window?

mcgyvr2009i

11 years ago

I have a 3ft(Soil surface to the top of the tree) Norfolk Island Pine cluster of about 7 that is in front of two NNW facing windows. Here's a picture of it's position:
{{gwi:326910}}

So, as you can see, they're normal size windows, and this was taken when we were getting slammed by snow, so the light is slightly dimmer than it would be if there were no storm.
Can it survive through out the winter with the light conditions I have for it?
Can it survive through out the winter in an exact north facing window?
Thanks in advanced!

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Comments (10)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
11 years ago
do you have any options???

i would be more worried about how cold that z10-11 plant gets at night ... cold feet.. right next to those huge windows ... in z5 ...

rather than whether an indoor houseplant can get enough light ...

if i 'had to worry' .. i would not worry about light.. i would start worrying about how i can afford a bigger apartment.. with such a big houseplant ... been there.. done that.. start thinking about the end of its life in your care .... and i am talking 3 to 5 years.. but one must start said process early.. IMHO ... so when the time comes.. you have a good hate on for it.. lol ...

ken
flora_uk
11 years ago
As ken says, so you have any other option? I'd make sure to turn it regularly if it has to stay there.
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True norfolk island pine have large spacing between branches and are symmetrical. Their needle like foliage on the branches are also long a narrow. Btw... you can buy them in stores during holidays. They are frequently mixed up but we do have one that is a true Norfork island pine bought at meijer. Another helpful tip is the branches along the main terminal come out growing upward and then may level out or droop. The cook's branches immediately grow outward or downward. N. Island pine are also known for the dark green foliage and less peeking bark as they are not actual pine trees but are tropical. First photo is of our norfolk. It is 4-5years. Sunburns easily in direct sun. Needs high humidity otherwise drooping like this occurs. It recently changed locations due to a move and is not happy. Second photo is foliage. The top foliage is a cook and the second foliage is a norfolk island. I hope this helps.
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"A plant that isn't growing is dying." ~ Alex Shigo PhD ........... so it's wise to be concerned when your plant isn't growing - unless it's taking the winter off. NIPs should do almost all of their extending from May - Oct. Also, growth is often arrested and plants exhibit general decline because of a deficiency of one or more nutrients; so to withhold fertilizer from these plants is essentially a death sentence and illustrates that in a fairly high % of cases, getting the nutritional program straightened out or fertilizing is the ONLY solution, which comes full circle to the fact that the idea we should never fertilize a sick plant is painting with a brush a little too broad. There is a triangular relationship that involves soil choice, watering habits, and the level of dissolved solids in the soil solution. Together, these factors exert primary influence on root health, and roots are the heart of the plant. It's not possible to have a healthy plant w/o it having healthy roots. It's highly probable your plant is rebelling against too much water in the soil after repotting into the MG product. NIPs prefer sharp drainage and don't tolerate wet feet well, so your focus should be on ensuring the rootzone is appropriately conducive to a healthy root system. Al
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mcgyvr2009i
Original Author
11 years ago
Sadly, all of my other windows are full. The main reason I have this one in the NNW windows, is because of privacy. We can't buy blinds or curtains because the cats have ruined them in the past. So, rather than waste money on blinds and curtains that wont last a month, I buy "natural" protection(plants). So, we gotta take what we can get. The other reason is because it is a beautiful addition to the living room.
As for the temperatures, I'm not sure, but I'm guessing probably between 60F and 75F during the winter months. The tag that came with this pine says it can survive temperatures down to 45F, so that's a good sign. :-)
kenptn
11 years ago
A north window shouldn't be a problem, however the plant will most likely exist, putting on little growth, rather than thrive. I've seen these trees in interior locations in offices year after year, changing but little. As far as cold, it's actually better to be cooler than hotter in your situation. I grow mine in a greenhouse with overnight temps in the 30's and 40's Dec. through Feb. and it does just fine.
mcgyvr2009i
Original Author
11 years ago
Well, little growth is better than killing a $10 tree. Thank you guys.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
11 years ago
first off.. its not a pine.. google the common name for latin name ... and much more info that you most likely ever need.. and look into its native habitat.. and you should come to appreciate .. its NOT indoors in NY.. lol ... but in understanding where it came from.. you might begin to understand how to deal with it ...

e.g. IF!!! ... its an understory jungle plant.. one might suggest.. being understory.. that its ok in shade ... but being jungle.. it appreciates humidity .. which may or may not be available in z5 in winter indoors ... and one thing for sure.. it wont like cold damp feet ... etc ...

and please do NOT confuse air temp with media temp .. i did not suggest the needles would be harmed..

what i suggested is that a dampy soggy pot.. wherein the roots are contained.. hopefully... might lead to root rots ..

these very warm climate plants .. may or may not like such ...

and i suggested that that MIGHT become an issue.. in winter.. in NY .. right in front of a north window ...

might depend on your heat source.. and whether it is right under the window also ...

good luck

ken
Iris GW
11 years ago
This is a question that you should take to the House Plant forum.

Here is a link that might be useful: House Plant forum on GW
poaky1
11 years ago
I've seen one growing in shade on Big Pine key, Florida. I have one indoors, it survived a month of no sun as our Christmas tree. It overwinters in the basement at about 62 F, southern exposure, but in summer is on a north facing porch. You can see them in Florida in full sun also, they look so different in the ground where hardy, tall and the needles go up instead of down.
bahia
11 years ago
It's not a tropical understory plant, but a subtropical/temperate full sun tree. It is actually hardy to slightly below freezing here in northern California. They can take low light conditions briefly, but really prefer more light than your situation will give it. At the least rotate it regularly, and you might try supplementing the ambient light with an additional grow light.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
11 years ago
It's not a tropical understory plant, but a subtropical/temperate full sun tree.

==>> THX.. i was being lazy and speculating ... close enough for the example i was presenting ...

many houseplants.. like media rather damp... soggy ...

but trees .. for the most part.. do NOT ...

err toward keeping it on the dry side [and i dont mean cactus dry] .. subject to your heat [forced air vs radiator] ... and ambient humidity in the house ...

all this said.. i tortured one for 10 years.. in a corner 3 feet from a window... you will be hard pressed to kill it ... do NOT take all my blather as implying this should be hard to maintain ..

i am glad you only paid $10 ... you could probably cycle thru 10 of them.. at that price.. before you ever get to the cost of some nice drapes or blinds.. eh???

just dont drown it ...

and i meant to add.. this is an inspired solution to a problem .. two gold stars ...

ken

Can a Norfolk Island Pine get enough light from a north window?

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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

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