Planta Discover

How to water a Norfolk Pine (Araucaria heterophylla)

Publicado el November 20, 2025

How to water a Norfolk Pine (Araucaria heterophylla)

How to water

Feel the soil; it should be a bit moist but not wet when watering it again. Squeeze a bit of soil between your fingers, if water seeps out it’s still wet.

If the soil is wet - snooze this action, we will remind you again in 2 days.

public/content/-cUIALXfRtO-W-yQQhGtfA.webp

Water over the soil

  1. Pour water over the soil, using, for example, a watering can or put the plant directly under a tap

  2. Continue adding water to the pot until it starts to run out from the drainage holes

  3. If you have a tray under the pot when watering, make sure you remove all the collected water afterwards - never let your plant sit in water

  4. If you watered under a tap make sure that water has stopped running out from the bottom before putting it back

Even if the Norfolk Pine likes water it doesn't like living in soggy soil so make sure that it's planted in a pot with holes and proper draining soil.
— Planta tip

public/content/GdpVwh4YTRKYTz_Ny5YccA.webp

Bottom watering

  1. Fill the plant tray with water

  2. Make sure the soil is in contact with the water on the tray

  3. Wait for about 10 minutes

  4. Feel the soil to see if it absorbed enough water —> if the soil is moist throughout, remove any excess water from the tray

  5. If it’s still dry —> add more water to the tray

  6. Wait 20 more minutes before removing the excess

Note

Bottom watering will not wash away salts and other minerals from the soil, so make sure to also give water over the soil every now and then.

Water bath

  1. Fill a bucket or any other vessel with lukewarm water

  2. Lower the whole pot down in the water, stop where the stem of the plant starts. Make sure all of the soil is under water

  3. The water will now start to bubble - wait until it stopped

  4. Lift the pot up and let the excess drain off

  5. Put the plant back in the cachepot or on the tray

  6. After 1 hour, check that the plant isn’t standing in water, if it is it might get overwatered and rot

Preguntas frecuentes

How do I know if my Norfolk Pine needs water?

To check if your Norfolk Pine needs water, feel the soil to see if it is a bit moist but not wet. If water seeps out when you squeeze a bit of soil between your fingers, it is still too wet.

Should I let my Norfolk Pine sit in standing water after watering?

No, you should always remove any collected water from the tray after watering. A Norfolk Pine, even if it likes water, does not like living in soggy soil.

What is bottom watering for a Norfolk Pine?

Bottom watering involves filling the plant tray with water, making sure the soil touches the water, and allowing the plant to absorb water from the bottom for about 10-20 minutes until the soil is moist. Afterwards, remove any excess water from the tray.

Can I only bottom water my Norfolk Pine?

No, bottom watering does not wash away salts and other minerals from the soil. You should also water over the soil occasionally to help flush these out.

How do I give my Norfolk Pine a water bath?

To give your Norfolk Pine a water bath, fill a bucket with lukewarm water and lower the whole pot into it until the stem starts. Wait until the bubbles stop, then lift the pot to drain excess water. Check after one hour to ensure no water is standing around the plant.

How to water a Norfolk Pine

  1. Feel the soil to ensure it is a bit moist but not wet.

  2. Pour water over the soil until it starts to run out from the drainage holes.

  3. If you have a tray under the pot, remove all collected water afterwards.

  4. If you watered under a tap, wait until water has stopped running out from the bottom before putting it back.