The Holiday Plant That Will Outgrow Your Home If You Aren't Careful

Holiday plants add festive color to our homes, but we don't always think about what those leafy gifts or impulse purchases will need a decade from now. Among the poinsettias and Christmas cacti, you might spot the green branches of some beautiful Norfolk Island pines (Araucaria heterophylla), which are often sold as potted Christmas trees that you can grow as houseplants. These stunning tropical evergreen trees are easy to care for, but if you buy one now, in 10 years it may outgrow your home.

You might pick out a Norfolk Island pine during the holidays at the supermarket or big box store, when it measures less than a foot tall — or maybe you'll buy one that's five feet tall. Though this tree may start out at a manageable size, it can quickly take on height, adding 6 inches a year, and might keep trying to grow when it hits your ceiling. And it's no wonder — when planted outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 10 and 11, these evergreens can reach 200 feet tall and 60 feet wide. Depending on the size of the tree when you first bring it home — as well as the height of your ceilings — a Norfolk Island pine may take 10 years or more to outgrow your house. Luckily there are a couple of steps you can take to manage the growth of these coniferous holiday houseplants so that you can enjoy one in your home longer before you need think about rehoming it.

Your first thought might be to lop off the top of the tree to make it fit in your house. Unfortunately, pruning the peak off of one of these trees isn't recommended because it will ruins the plant's beautiful pyramidal shape. Some houseplant gardeners occasionally attempt this, but not everyone is happy with the results, and occasionally the tree will resprout a new growth tip anyway and continue to reach for the skies. So rather than grabbing your pruners, adjust your care before this holiday plant gets too big for your ceilings.

Your main strategy for restricting a Norfolk Island pine's growth should be to limit the tree's pot size. By keeping its roots from spreading, you'll also slow the growth of the tree. Small trees can still be repotted as needed — it's only once the houseplant starts sizing up that you'll need to be proactive. Plants that are 5 feet tall and up can be kept in 5-gallon pots without potting up to larger containers. Instead, every three or four years switch out the potting soil and return the tree to the same pot to slow its growth. And to keep things simple and keep the size of your Norfolk pine manageable, avoid fertilizing it.