Moderate Tropical Safe for pets

Veitch's Screw Pine

Pandanus veitchii

A tropical plant with spirally arranged, strap-like, variegated leaves, often edged with sharp spines.

The essentials at a glance

Watering

Every 7 days
Light

Bright indirect light
Humidity

65–85 %
Temperature

18–30 °C

How to care for your Veitch's Screw Pine

Everything you need to keep your Veitch's Screw Pine healthy: watering, light, humidity, feeding, repotting and pruning.

Veitch's Screw Pine is a distinctive tropical plant known for its long, sword-shaped leaves arranged in a spiral pattern around the central stem. The 'Veitchii' cultivar features attractive cream or white variegation along the leaf margins. It thrives in bright indirect light and high humidity, requiring consistently moist soil. Beware of the sharp spines along the leaf edges.

Watering your Veitch's Screw Pine

Every 7 days

Top watering

How to know it needs water

Top inch of soil dry
Leaves look less turgid

How much light a Veitch's Screw Pine needs

Bright indirect light

Bright Indirect

Direct sun tolerated: 0 to 2 h a day
Orientations that suit it: North, North-east, East, South-east, South, South-west, West, North-west

Humidity and misting

65–85 %

High Requires high humidity; regular misting or a pebble tray is beneficial.

Feeding and fertiliser

Every 30 days

Fertilize monthly during spring and summer, dilute to half strength.

Recommended feed: Balanced liquid fertilizer · 8-2-10

Repotting your Veitch's Screw Pine

Every 24 months

Carefully repot, handling sharp leaves with caution. Use a well-draining mix.

When: Spring
Potting mix: All-purpose potting mix
Mix in: perlite, coco fibre, pine bark

The tell-tale signs

Roots emerging from drainage holes
Stunted growth

Pruning your Veitch's Screw Pine

As needed Remove only dead or yellowing lower leaves, being careful of sharp spines.

Through the year

Watering is not set once and for all: it follows the light and the growth. Allow 8 days between waterings in the depth of winter, against 6 in the growing season.

Active growth · Days between waterings

Good to know

Named 'Screw Pine' due to its spirally arranged leaves around the stem.
Produces aerial roots for stability, especially in outdoor environments.

Frequently asked questions about the Veitch's Screw Pine

How do you care for a Veitch's Screw Pine?

Water it every 7 days. Give it bright indirect light. Ideal humidity: 65–85 %. Ideal temperature: 18–30 °C. Top watering

How often should you water a Veitch's Screw Pine?

Every 7 days Top watering How to know it needs water : Top inch of soil dry ; Leaves look less turgid.

How much light does a Veitch's Screw Pine need?

Bright indirect light Bright Indirect 0 to 2 h a day

Is the Veitch's Screw Pine toxic to cats and dogs?

No, the Veitch's Screw Pine is not listed as toxic to cats and dogs. That is still no reason to let your pets chew on it.

Why are my Veitch's Screw Pine leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing most often comes from too much water: the mix stays wet and the roots suffocate. Check that the pot drains, empty the saucer, and let the mix dry before watering again. Too little light or a cold draught cause the same symptom.

When should you repot a Veitch's Screw Pine?

Repot every 24 months, ideally in spring. Carefully repot, handling sharp leaves with caution. Use a well-draining mix.