Cleveland County Master Gardener Association

12/19/2025

12/19/2025

12/19/2025

Starts Tues., Jan. 20

12/19/2025

12/19/2025

12/19/2025

12/19/2025

Yesterday we discussed Norfolk Island pines (Araucaria heterophylla) as holiday houseplants. So let's say that you've been given one as a gift--how do you go about caring for it?

First off, the plant will tell you if it's not happy: "If environmental conditions do not meet their liking, the lower limbs may turn yellow or brown and fall off prematurely."**

It's key to remember that these plants "typically grow in coastal areas, which are humid."* Given that "[o]ur homes tend to be dry, especially in winter… it is important to take steps to increase the humidity around your plant. One way to do this is to fill a saucer with rocks and water then place the plant on top of it. This will create a microclimate of high humidity around it."* *** Regarding watering, "these plants like moist conditions, but not wet feet. Allow the soil to dry out some between waterings and make sure your pot has drainage holes."*

Finally, if your plant is decorated for the holidays, "[i]t also is recommended that the decorations be removed promptly after the holiday season to prevent damage to the needles or branches."**

Sources:
* “Norfolk Island Pines,” Ken Johnson (Horticulture Educator), Illinois Extension, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (Jan. 22, 2020) (https://extension.illinois.edu/.../2020-01-22-norfolk...).

** “Norfolk Island Pine - The Other Living Christmas Tree,” Cindy Haynes (Horticulturalist), Iowa State University Extension (accessed Dec. 24, 2024) (https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/2007/nov/072301.htm).

*** “Norfolk Island Pine,” Gardening Solutions, UF / IFAS Extension, University of Florida (accessed Dec. 24, 2024) (https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/trees-and-shrubs/trees/norfolk-island-pine/).

12/19/2025

Our Pest of the Month for December is the notorious spider mite. Spider mites are tiny arachnids with small mouthparts that pierce individual plant cells and suck out the contents. Though the mites themselves are quite small, they can often be identified by the webs they spin and the brown, desiccated leaves they leave behind as they feed. Early detection of these pests is crucial; if an infestation gets out of control, the result is usually plant death. Learn more about spider mites via this Ohioline fact sheet: https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/HYG-2012-11