Endemic to Norfolk Island, a speck of Pacific land between Australia and New Zealand, Araucaria heterophylla has been growing in British conservatories and colonial gardens since the late 18th century, long before it became a staple of American garden centers dressed up as a living Christmas tree. In its native habitat it climbs to 200 feet, one of the tallest trees in the Southern Hemisphere, its trunk perfectly straight and its symmetrical whorled branches creating a silhouette visible from far out to sea. In subtropical and Mediterranean climates it settles at 60 to 100 feet; as an indoor plant it typically tops out around 9 feet, making it manageable for most rooms provided the light is bright and the air not too stuffy.

Grown outdoors in suitable climates — zones 9 to 11 — it thrives in any well-drained soil in full sun, developing that characteristic pyramidal form, though the surface roots will eventually challenge nearby paving. As a houseplant it is surprisingly tolerant of the warm, dry atmosphere of offices and homes, asking mainly for a bright cool room, regular watering from spring through autumn, and light feeding during the growing season. Scale and leaf spot are occasional nuisances, and tall outdoor specimens can attract lightning strikes, which are dramatic but generally survivable. The tree does not reliably bounce back from severe indoor neglect; plants kept in very low light for too long begin dropping lower branches irreversibly.