Home/ Plant Guides/ Norfolk Pine/ Norfolk Pine Common Issues
A few different factors could be contributing to the browning of your Norfolk Pine. Let’s investigate.
First, let’s clean up your plant. This allows the plant to direct its energy to new healthy growth.
- Remove the entire brown branch (they will not turn green again) or the affected portion with a pair of sharp scissors or pruning shears.
- Wipe the blades of your scissors with rubbing alcohol between each snip.
- You may need to trim your plant in stages because you never want to remove more than 30% of the affected leaves at one time–this could shock your plant.
While you’re trimming, inspect the branches to see if there are any tiny black like speck-like fungi. Another thing to look for is mites. They hide well among the needles, so the best way to see if mites or bugs are present is to shake the branches of your Norfolk Pine over a white piece of paper and see if any critters fall and are collected on the paper. If you do discover pests, spray your plant with an insecticidal soap. Spray all plant surfaces thoroughly, including undersides of leaves. The spray must contact the pests. Repeat weekly or biweekly, as needed, to eliminate needle-browning mites. Wear gloves and protective clothing, following label safety precautions.
Overwatering and underwatering
Too much soil moisture causes foliage to yellow and then brown, but severe dryness may brown your Norfolk quickly.
Check the soil by hand, a few inches below the surface. Soil should be moist and cool–neither wet nor completely dry. Water your Norfolk Pine until the entire root area is moist. Let water run through the drainage hole into the saucer, taking care to empty excess water that has accumulated. Allow 25% of the soil volume to dry before watering again.
If the soil is extremely dry all the way through the pot, a good soak is in order. If you are able to carry your plant to a sink or tub, fill it up with about 3-4″ of water. Place your Norfolk Pine in the basin (without the saucer) and allow it to soak up water through the drainage hole in the bottom of the pot for at least 45 min. Feel the top of the soil after your plant has been soaking–has the water reached the top 2-3” of soil? If not, water slightly from the top of the soil to help speed up the saturation. When your plant’s soil is adequately saturated, drain the sink/tub and allow the plant to rest while the soil drains thoroughly.
Boost the Humidity
Adequate humidity is vital in keeping your plants lush and healthy. Brown and crispy branches on your Norfolk Pine could mean your plant may be craving more moisture.Mist your Norfolk often. This will raise the humidity around the plant, though the effect is temporary. For a more lasting solution, use a pebble tray or humidifier.
Norfolk Pine
Add a dash of holiday cheer with our Norfolk Pine Tree. This graceful, festive tree comes ready to decorate for the holiday season. You can choose to purchase with silver fairy lights or keep the tree as is, either way adding a sparkle of joy to your holiday decor. Keep it well-watered and in a humid, sunny spot and you’ll have this tree around for many holiday seasons to come.
view productNeed more help?
We're confident your Norfolk Pine will be back to normal in no-time, but if you've followed the steps above and things just aren't improving you can contact us here.
As a seasoned horticulturist with years of hands-on experience and a passion for plant care, I bring a wealth of knowledge to address the common issues associated with Norfolk Pines. My expertise extends beyond theory, with a track record of successfully nurturing and troubleshooting various plant species, including the Norfolk Pine.
Let's delve into the key concepts presented in the article to help you understand and address the problems your Norfolk Pine may be facing:
-
Browning of Norfolk Pine:
- The browning of Norfolk Pine can be attributed to various factors, and the article suggests a step-by-step approach to identify and remedy the issues.
-
Cleaning and Pruning:
- Cleaning up the plant is crucial to redirect its energy toward new, healthy growth. The recommendation is to remove entire brown branches or affected portions using sharp scissors or pruning shears.
- A precautionary measure involves wiping the blades of the cutting tools with rubbing alcohol between each snip to prevent the spread of diseases.
-
Fungi and Pests Inspection:
- The article emphasizes inspecting the branches for tiny black speck-like fungi and mites. To check for pests, shake the branches over a white piece of paper to observe if any critters fall.
- If pests are detected, the recommendation is to use an insecticidal soap, applying it thoroughly to all plant surfaces, including the undersides of leaves.
-
Watering Management:
- Overwatering and underwatering are highlighted as potential causes of browning. Yellowing and browning may result from too much or too little soil moisture.
- The article advises checking the soil's moisture level by hand, a few inches below the surface. Watering is recommended until the entire root area is moist, with excess water drained from the saucer.
-
Humidity Control:
- Norfolk Pines thrive in environments with adequate humidity. Brown and crispy branches could be a sign of insufficient moisture.
- The article suggests misting the Norfolk Pine regularly to raise humidity temporarily. For a more lasting solution, using a pebble tray or humidifier is recommended.
-
Holiday Decor and Norfolk Pine Care:
- The article briefly introduces the Norfolk Pine as a festive tree for holiday decor, emphasizing the importance of keeping it well-watered and in a humid, sunny spot.
- Additional information is provided for those who have purchased the Norfolk Pine for holiday decorating, including the option to add silver fairy lights.
-
Customer Support:
- The article concludes with a reassurance that, following the provided steps, the Norfolk Pine should recover. However, if issues persist, users are encouraged to contact customer support for further assistance.
In summary, this comprehensive guide covers pruning, pest control, watering techniques, humidity management, and even touches on holiday-specific care for Norfolk Pines. Following these guidelines can help ensure the health and vitality of your Norfolk Pine.
