It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Spotted these Norfolk Island pines at Home Depot today, decorated for the holidays. Shipped from Costa Farms in Florida, these 9-inch containers are relatively cheap considering that the plant will last for years. Add a few more lightweight ornaments, red ribbons, and miniature lights and you have the perfect “Christmas tree” for those who do not want to lug in a large cut tree or prop up an artificial tree. The added benefit of course is that the Norfolk Island pine becomes a houseplant after the holidays.
Based in Florida, Costa Farms is the largest grower of Norfolk Island pines in the United States. According to their website, Norfolk Island pines (Araucaria heterophylla) really do originate from Norfolk Island (the tiny island is between Australia and New Zealand). British explorer Captain James Cook discovered the plant in 1774. In their natural habitat they can reach up to 200 feet (image below).
Instead of trekking out to this tiny island, Costa Farms gathers seed from trees in Hawaii. They sow and grow them in Florida, trimming them at an early age to maintain a reasonable size. By the time the plants arrive at Home Depot, they are several years old but have been pruned repeatedly. 
When you purchase a Norfolk Island pine, give it as much light as possible. It is best to put the plant on casters so it can be rotated to prevent lopsided growth. The plant can live for a long time and get as high as 9 feet.
Fortunately, they prefer to be pot bound so you do not have to re-pot frequently. Make sure the potting mix is porous. They prefer a well-drained mix. Water the plant so the water runs out the drainage holes. Water sparingly in the winter and a little more in the summer. Apply a diluted liquid fertilizer in the summer. Unlike many tropical houseplants, this one tolerates the low humidity that is common in homes in the winter. It does not have to be pruned or trimmed unless of course it is to remove a dead or diseased branch.
In 12 months, decorate again.