You can keep in a smaller sized container but it just means you will need to repot and root prune more frequently. It will slow - but not stop - the growth of the NIP, which wants to grow into a very large tree. And this is not a tree where pruning will help to control size......unless you lop the top off, which is never a recommended approach.

Thank you! How often would I have to root prune? That makes me nervous haha. I've never done that. Would the tree die if I don't root prune?

If it's a 30in tree in a 9in pot how large will it grow in that environment?

Can't say precisely but possibly every other year. And yes, without root pruning it will eventually start to decline and possibly die.

"If it's a 30in tree in a 9in pot how large will it grow in that environment?"

Dunno :-) How big is the current rootball?

Thanks again! I'm not sure on the rootball. It's planted right now. Maybe 6x6.

Really I just wanted to make sure it could survive in a small pot.

Are there any signs to look out for when the tree will need to be root pruned?

Yes. Typically when you water, the water will run straight through the pot and out the drainage hole, indicating that the roots have completely filled the container. And despite how often you water, the plant will look limp and water-deprived. Which it will be, as there will not be enough soil left to support any moisture retention.

Would it be better to let the roots grow wider or deeper? The small pot I want to put it in is only 9" high but pretty wide (a lot wider than the nursery pot it came in). Would that be better than something deeper or vice versa? Sorry for all the questions

I would plant in the largest pot you can manage easily. What you describe sounds like a nursery trade 3 gallon, which I would consider the minimum for a tree of that size. I would opt for more like a 5G nursery pot or approximate dimensions of 12" x 12" to 12.5". Or even a 7G. That will allow for sufficient root development without the need for too frequent root pruning and repotting. You will still need to plan on that every 3-4 years anyway.

After growing these pines indoors, they definitely don’t like their roots disturbed. However, that doesn’t mean I don’t disturb them.

With say a Ficus, I can be rough, remove all soil, blast roots with water and prune them and the tree won’t skip a beat.

With the Norfolk Island pine, it always gives me a little bit of a hard time when I do a full repot. Some branches always die and fall off and it takes a little bit to get back on track.

Mine hasn’t been repotted in over two years and is still currently putting out beautiful growth.

im planning on repotting in June though. I would also wait until that point U S. If you’re in the northern hemisphere. If you’re in the Southern Hemisphere, well, them now is a great time.

the 5:1:1 mix is a great choice for this tree.

Thanks so much! How big is your tree and what size pot is it in? If you prune the roots, could the tree hypothetically live in a small pot its whole life?