Complete guide to pot-grown Christmas tree care

Pot-grown Christmas trees are a great addition to your annual Christmas decorations. They’re portable, sustainable and still growing in their pots. And with these simple steps, you can keep them looking jolly throughout the festive season.

• Give your tree plenty to drink, (but not too much)
• Make sure it has good drainage
• Display it somewhere cool and keep away from fires and radiators
• Keep decorations light and minimal 
• Find your tree a suitable home outside after Christmas

A Christmas decoration as well as a temporary houseplant, pot-grown Christmas trees are baby trees that have been growing for about a year before they get to your home. That means they’ll keep growing over the holiday season, and can continue life even after all the leftover turkey has been devoured. 

Our range of pot-grown Christmas trees come in all shapes and sizes. Bruce the blue spruce looks festive on any table or surface. Neva the Norfolk pine is a twist on tradition with her architectural branches, and Nora the Nordmann fir is known as the ‘non-drop’ tree for her needle holding abilities. Just make sure you give them all a good shake before you bring inside to get rid of any loose needles.

Whichever tree you choose, there are easy things you can do to keep them full of life. They might need a little more attention than a cut Christmas tree, but pot-grown trees will last longer, look better and be more rewarding. What’s more fulfilling than a Christmas decoration that you can look after and grow?

As with all plants, giving your pot-grown tree the right amount of water is the key to a long and healthy life. 

Do the finger dip test every few days to know when to water. Stick your finger up to your second knuckle into the tops of the soil. If your finger comes out moist and dirty, check again in a day or two. If it’s dry and clean, it’s time for a drink. And remember that the bigger the tree, the thirstier the roots. 

To avoid overwatering – which can cause root rot – make sure your plant has good drainage. Keep your tree in the nursery pot and either place it on top of a saucer, or put it inside a bigger decorative pot to catch any water that drains out.

Choose your own stylish pot to house your tree for the season. From understated clay pots, to two-toned dipped pots – our selection of decorative pots serve an important function while adding the finishing touch to your Christmas tree.

Christmas trees love coolness and moisture, so it’s best to place them in a cool spot in your home. For example, next to a front or back door, or by a window where they can breathe some fresh air. Just be careful not to put them in direct sunlight. They need some light, but too much can dry them out and scorch their needles.

Avoid putting your tree next to a fireplace or by a radiator. It’s a fire hazard and can lead to needle loss. 

Like any other Christmas tree, pot-grown ones come to life with just a few decorative flourishes. But because pot-grown trees tend to be smaller and more delicate, it’s best to stick to lightweight pieces so you don’t restrict or weigh down your tree. 

Tie a few ribbons or mini baubles on the branches of small trees like Bruce. Nora is bigger and thicker and looks lovely with a range of bauble styles. And lightweight wire lights would make Neva the Norfolk pine absolutely shine. Make sure they’re battery-powered so it’s easier to move around.

When they’re not adding a festive touch inside your home, small pot-grown Christmas trees make the perfect addition to any balcony, garden, patio or doorstep all year long. 

You can keep your tree in a pot until it gets to about six foot in height. Just make sure the pot you’re using is big enough to contain all the roots comfortably, and repot when roots start poking out.

Pick a sheltered and sunny patch outdoors for your tree to grow. Make sure it's well watered, especially in the summer months, and maintain its pyramid shape by pruning any unruly shoots or dead branches. When you’re ready to move your tree indoors or outside, slowly acclimatise it to the new space by leaving it outside during the day and bringing it indoors at night for a week or so. The only exception is Neva, who prefers to stay indoors year-round.

With a little care, you’ll keep your tree’s Christmas spirit alive for weeks, months, even years to come.