How fast does it grow?

It is a fast grower, often adding 60 to 90 centimeters per year once established.

Can I keep it in a pot?

It is not suitable for long term container growth due to its massive size.

Plant guide

Norway spruce.

Picea abies

Pronounced PY-see-uh AY-beez

Also known as Common Spruce, Norway Spruce, Norway Spruce, European Spruce

Picea abies — Photo by Codrin Bucur (CC BY) via gbif

The Norway spruce is a classic, fast growing evergreen that brings a stately presence to any landscape. It is well loved for its iconic conical shape and sweeping, pendulous branches. You will find it thrives best in cooler climates with plenty of room to stretch out.

Another photo of Norway spruce — Photo by Igor Balashov (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Coniferous evergreen tree
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 40 to 60 feet tall
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 2 to 7
Bloom time: Mid to late spring

Care

Plant this tree in a spot where it can receive full sun and has enough space to reach its full size. Keep an eye out for needle drop or browning, which can signal that the soil is too dry or the drainage is poor. It is a very hardy tree that generally takes care of itself once established.

Watering: Water deeply during the first few years to help the roots establish.
Feeding: Apply a balanced slow release fertilizer in early spring.
Pruning: Prune only to remove dead or damaged branches in late winter.
Repotting: Repotting is generally not needed for landscape trees, but container specimens need fresh soil every few years.
Soil: Moist, well drained, acidic soil
Soil pH: Acidic to neutral
Temperature: -40 to 30°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Long-lived, often 200 to 400 years.
Fragrance: Light
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots circling the bottom of the pot.
Water running straight through the soil without soaking in.

Safety

People: The plant is generally non-toxic, though the sharp needles can cause mechanical injury.
Children: The sharp, stiff needles pose a puncture risk to small children who might try to climb or handle the branches.
Contact allergens: Handling the needles can cause minor skin irritation for some people.
Airborne allergens: The pollen can be a mild respiratory irritant during the spring release.
Edibility: The needles are sometimes used for tea, but ensure they are not from a toxic yew tree before harvesting.

How to identify it

Conical shape with pendulous branches
Dark green, needle like foliage
Large, cylindrical, light brown cones
Rough, scaly, reddish brown bark

Height: 15 to 35m
Spread: 6 to 10m
Leaves: dark green, evergreen
Flowers: red, yellow, 1 to 2cm
Fruit: brown, Autumn

Problems to watch for

Spruce spider mite · Tiny mites that suck sap and cause needles to turn yellow or brown.
Rhizosphaera needle cast · A fungal infection that causes needles to turn brown and drop prematurely.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed, cuttings
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: No special protection is needed as it is fully hardy in cold climates. Ensure the soil remains moist before the ground freezes.
In containers: It is not suitable for containers due to its immense size and deep root requirements.

Seed

Collect cones in late autumn.
Dry cones to release seeds.
Cold stratify seeds for 30 days.
Sow in moist soil.

Plant shade tolerant groundcovers beneath the canopy to manage the moisture and acidity of the needle mulch.

Grows well with

Birch · They share similar soil requirements and provide a nice textural contrast.
Ferns · Ferns thrive in the dappled shade provided by the spruce canopy.

Similar species

Blue Spruce · It has a similar growth habit but features distinct blue-toned needles.
Sitka Spruce · It is another large conifer often used in similar forestry applications.

Science

Family: Pinaceae
Genus: Picea
Order: Pinales
Class: Pinopsida
Native range: Northern, Central, and Eastern Europe.
Conservation: This species is widespread and not of conservation concern.

It thrives in cool, moist climates and often forms dense forests that provide critical thermal cover for wildlife.

Value to wildlife: nesting habitat, winter shelter, seed source
Pollinators: bees
Uses: ornamental specimen, windbreak, timber, privacy screen

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 5/9
Light: 6/9
Temperature: 3/9
Moisture: 6/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

How fast does it grow?: It is a fast grower, often adding 60 to 90 centimeters per year once established.
Can I keep it in a pot?: It is not suitable for long term container growth due to its massive size.

Where the name comes from

The name Picea is the Latin word for pitch, referring to the resin, while abies refers to the fir-like appearance.

Good to know

Norway spruce can live for several hundred years in the right conditions.
The wood is highly valued for making musical instruments like violins.
It is the national tree of Norway.
Some root systems have been carbon dated to be thousands of years old.

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This guide was generated with AI on October 19, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.