When you think of the festive holidays, one of the first things that probably comes to mind is a Christmas tree. But if this year, you fancy an alternative option or simply just want to go all out and fill your home, you may want to purchase a pot-grown Christmas tree. Gardening expert Fiona Jenkins at Myjobquote.co.uk, the UK’s leading trades matching site, is here to explain more about everything you should consider.
What size pot-grown Christmas tree should I get?
When it comes to potted Christmas tree size, bigger isn’t always better. Potted pine trees can become unhappy once they’ve reached a height past three to four feet tall. This is due to the large amount of roots this type of tree produces, in order to keep the plant alive. Because of their quick-growing, substantial roots, they can begin to outgrow the space pretty quickly. Once this happens, you’ll need to re-pot to keep your tree content. However, repotting a Christmas tree, or any tree for that matter, means you’re giving the tree the space to expand its roots, ultimately resulting in much taller and wider growth.
You can theoretically keep a Christmas tree in a pot until it grows to around six feet tall, however, a tree of this size and weight is extremely difficult to care for, as well as manoeuvre. Always ensure you upsize your pots to allow your potted Christmas tree to thrive, and avoid the roots from pushing through the gaps.
How long do pot-grown Christmas trees last?
Potted Christmas trees usually only last for a few years, due to the nature of their original habitats. Trees, such as pines, originated in large, cool, outdoor spaces, and they tend to become temperamental when brought indoors or begin to feel claustrophobic.
Potted Christmas trees will continue to thrive if cared for correctly, however, at some point, they will require more room than a pot will allow, and this is where the problems begin. It’s recommended to plant your potted Christmas tree in the soil of an outdoor space to allow it to continue to grow and thrive.
When brought indoors, potted Christmas trees tend to lose their needles quickly. This is often due to them being too close to a heat source, or not sufficiently watered. It's recommended that potted Christmas trees are only kept indoors for up to a week to ten days before putting them back outside. Keeping them in a warm environment any longer will leave the tree vulnerable once put back out in the cold.
When should I bring it indoors?
If you’re planning on bringing your potted Christmas tree indoors, ensure you do so as late as possible on the run-up to Christmas. Potted Christmas trees don’t fare well in a heated, indoor climate, so it’s best to bring your tree indoors the week before Christmas and place it back outside as soon as the festive season ends. Seven to ten days is usually the limit.
How often should I water my potted Christmas tree?
You’ll know pretty much straight away if your potted Christmas tree isn’t a happy plant, as it will very quickly begin to shed its needles, leaving a mess on your floor. However, it’s important to keep your potted Christmas tree happy to avoid getting to this stage.
Potted Christmas trees require regular watering, so it’s important to keep the soil around them damp. Every few days, stick your finger up to your knuckles into the soil and then assess. If your hand is damp and the soil clings to it, wait another day or so. If your hand is dry and clean, give your tree a good watering.
It’s also important we don’t overwater our potted Christmas trees, and we plant them in a pot with sufficient drainage. An accumulation of water in your pot can cause fungal diseases, such as root rot, which can severely damage your plant, resulting in stunted growth, or even death. Always ensure the soil is moist but not overly wet, and keep your tree in an area away from direct heat sources.
Where's the best spot in my home to place it?
When bringing your potted Christmas tree indoors, it’s vital you move it to an area that isn’t too warm. It may be tempting to set up your Christmas tree next to your open fire and Christmas stockings, however, this will very quickly dry out the soil and the tree itself, causing it to rapidly shed.
Christmas trees love a cool, moist environment, so allow your tree to be displayed near your front or back door, or next to a window. This will allow the tree to breathe fresh air and keep a cool temperature. When positioning your potted Christmas tree, ensure it’s not placed in direct sunlight, and the soil is kept moist.
How should I decorate my pot-grown Christmas tree?
When decorating a potted Christmas tree, it’s important to take care of Christmas lights and electrical decorations. Potted Christmas trees require a sufficient amount of water, meaning any electrical appliances close by may be subject to becoming a fire hazard. Instead, it may be better to opt for LED battery-powered lighting and decorations. Keep your potted tree well away from electrical sockets and wires, to avoid any dangerous mishaps.
Be a little cautious that smaller potted Christmas tree branches are weaker and more prone to breakage, so keep the decorations light and airy. Other than that, you can decorate your potted Christmas tree in any way you like: baubles, tinsel, candy canes, the lot!
When should I plant it in the garden and can I bring it in again next year?
Whether you decide to plant your potted Christmas tree depends on two factors: whether you want to bring it indoors again next year, and how large the tree has grown. Potted trees need to be upsized regularly, to avoid them outgrowing their pots and becoming unhappy. Potted Christmas trees tend to thrive up to about three to four feet, so it’s recommended you plant your tree in the soil outside if it’s reached this height.
You can bring your tree indoors for round two, provided that it hasn’t reached a height that may affect the plants living functions if kept in a pot.
Can I slow the growth of my pot-grown Christmas tree?
Keeping your potted Christmas tree in a smaller pot can stunt the growth of the tree. However, confined Christmas trees tend to become temperamental and difficult to look after.
Another way to slow the growth of your potted Christmas tree is to prune it. To prune your Christmas tree, trim back any wayward shoots and dead or damaged branches. Remove any stems that are upward growing and may be competing with the lead stem. Keeping it cut back will slow the overall growth down. Be careful not to over-prune, as this may cause damage to the plant.