Question
Hi, I have a Norfolk Island pine tree that I've had for about 2 years.. It is a pot of 7 plants of different sizes and is now over 5 feet tall. It is in a 20" pot. I've brought it in for the winter,put it in it's regular place and it just recently started dropping branches. They don't turn brown or anything.. They just fall off, still soft and green. I've not seen any pests and it only gets watered when it's dry on the top inch of soil.Just within the last few days,small portions of the branches are getting a brown color to them. Not the whole branch but just portions of some of the needles here and there. Any ideas would be well appreciated! Thank you!

Answer
Hi Sue,

Indoor light is much less intense than outdoor light, so I suspect your NIP is reacting to that reduction in light. The less light it receives, the fewer total branches it can support, so it sheds lower branches in order to preserve the newer ones. Make sure you have it as close to your sunniest window as possible.

A 20-inch pot is quite large for a 5-foot NIP, so you have to be careful not to overwater. Indoors it will use less water because not only is the light reduced, but there is less air circulation. I suggest allowing the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out before watering.

I have written an article on Norfolk Island Pines that I will email for free to anyone who sends a request to me at my address below.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

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Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC