How to Look After a Potted Christmas Tree

A potted Christmas tree is more than just a festive decoration — it’s a way of bringing a meaningful bit of living magic into your home. If you’ve opted for a pot-grown Christmas tree, hats off to you! They’re a fantastic and eco-friendly choice, and with the right care, yours can keep spreading festive cheer for years to come.

Keeping your potted tree looking ship-shape is simple once you’ve got the right know-how. Here’s our handy guide to looking after your tree, with plenty of seasonal inspiration and practical wisdom sprinkled in along the way.

The best trees for container growing

A Christmas tree in a pot needs to be able to thrive indoors for the holiday season, and stay looking great when it goes outside in the new year. The type of tree you choose makes all the difference, so here are some of our seasonal favourites to look out for:

Norway Spruce: The classic Christmas charmer that will fill your home with a lush pine fragrance. The Norway Spruce can start to lose needles when kept indoors, so pop it in a cool spot and keep the soil moist for best results.

Nordmann Fir: The standout superstar for indoor use. This lush beauty keeps its needles for ages and doesn’t require much care, making it perfect for busy homes.

Blue Spruce: Eye-catching and decorative, the Blue Spruce adds a unique silvery-blue colour that’s great for making your tree stand out. The needles can be a bit sharp, so keep it out of reach from little hands (or paws!).

Fraser Fir: A narrower tree that’s ideal for snug spaces, the Fraser Fir brings a citrussy, festive fragrance without taking over your space. It’s ideal if you want the aroma of a real tree without the mess of falling needles.

Finding the perfect container

You’ve found your ideal tree, now let’s choose a container to match! The right pot will provide stability, proper drainage, and a healthy environment for your potted Christmas tree’s roots to flourish. Here’s how to get it right first time:

Leave space for growth: You’ll likely buy your potted Christmas tree in a small nursery pot. When choosing your own decorative container, make sure it’s about 2 inches wider in diameter. This gives the roots a little room to breathe without being so large that the extra soil stays waterlogged. Your tree won’t thank you for soggy roots!

Protect your floor: Pop a saucer underneath your pot indoors to stop any extra water from leaking onto your floor — particularly if displaying your potted tree on a carpet. Just make sure to empty the saucer regularly to stop the roots from sitting in moisture.

Keep materials in mind: Go for terracotta or ceramic pots — they’re stylish, sturdy, and great for your tree’s health. If you opt for metal or plastic, be mindful that they easily absorb heat and allow less air circulation to the roots.

Setting up your pot-grown Christmas tree

Once you’ve got the ideal container, it’s time to give your tree the best possible start in its new home. A little care at the beginning goes a long way in keeping your tree happy and healthy throughout the festive season.

Consider special compost: Use a high-quality evergreen compost mix — it’s the Christmas dinner your tree deserves! While it can be convenient to use any old soil, a specially-made compost will provide the perfect balance of nutrients and pH your tree needs.

Be gentle with the root ball: When placing your tree into its new pot, handle the root ball with care — think of it like handling a delicate bauble. Slide it out slowly, avoid pulling on the branches, and gently loosen any tight roots to help them grow outwards in the new soil.

Keep the temperature just right: Place your tree away from radiators, fireplaces, and drafts — think cosy but cool. Heat sources can dry out your tree’s needles and soil, while cold drafts might cause shock and needle loss. Aim for an indoor temperature just below 20°C to keep your tree looking tip-top.

Watering and managing moisture

Try the fingertip test: The best (and simplest) way to know when your potted tree needs watering is to simply use your finger. If the top layer of soil feels dry, it’s time for a good drink. The goal is to keep the soil feeling consistently moist but not waterlogged.

Don’t drown it!: Water your tree slowly and thoroughly until you start to see water trickle out of the drainage holes. Choosing a quality pot is half the battle in ensuring good drainage for your pot-grown Christmas tree.

Mist gently and regularly: Think of it as a spa day for the spruces! Lightly mist the needles a couple of times a week to increase humidity and stop your tree from drying out.

Temperature and light

Bright, indirect sunlight is your tree’s best friend: Find a cosy spot near a window — ideally south-facing, but avoiding any direct, intense sunlight that could cause your potted Christmas tree to overheat.

Take it slow: When moving your tree from outdoors to indoors or vice versa, make sure you’re giving it some time to acclimatise. A sudden change in temperature and light can cause shock and damage, so stick with gentle transitions. You can even use indoor spaces like a garage or cool, unheated room to ease the process.

Use LED Christmas lights: They won’t heat your tree and will still look smashing. Traditional incandescent lights produce a lot of heat, which can stress your tree and cause the needles to dry out faster. LEDs are a cool, energy-efficient alternative and a safer option for potted trees.

Decorating your potted tree

Keep decorations light: Heavy ornaments can weigh down the branches, causing them to sag or even break. Stick to lightweight Christmas tree decorations and space them out carefully to avoid branch bending — your tree will thank you.

Stick to LED lights: As mentioned, LED lights emit less heat and will stop your tree from drying out — safety first and all that!

Decorate gently: Be careful not to stress the branches, and leave room to water easily when decorating your pot-grown Christmas tree. Don’t tie decorations too tightly around the branches, and make sure your watering can reaches the soil without a struggle.

Preventing pests and disease

Check regularly: Potted trees can become homes for little unwelcome guests like aphids and spider mites. Once a week, take a close look underneath the branches and needles for signs of tiny insects or webbing.

Treat pests quickly: Natural cleaning solutions like neem oil are kind to both your tree and home. A simple solution of insecticidal soap can also be effective and is safe for use indoors.

Keep the area tidy: Simple, but effective! A clean floor and pot area makes it harder for pests to hide and multiply.

Post-Christmas care

Move it outdoors gently: When the festivities end, slowly reintroduce your potted Christmas tree to the outdoors. A sudden move from a warm house to winter temperatures can cause a potted tree to die. So, start by moving it to a cool, unheated garage or porch for a week or two.

Place it in a sheltered spot: After a slow move outdoors, find a spot in your garden that will shelter your potted tree from strong winds and harsh weather. Place it among your other outdoor plants for added protection and to support your tree’s growth.

Prune in spring: Give your tree a gentle prune in spring and feed it with special evergreen fertiliser — think of it as a spring clean! Pruning helps potted trees to keep their shape, and a slow-release fertiliser will provide the nutrients it needs to grow outdoors.

Repot or plant: Potted trees should be repotted in a slightly bigger container every two-to-three years. With the right care, your tree’s roots will keep growing and growing, so think about planting it in your garden if you’ve got the space.

Feel festive year-round with a healthy potted Christmas tree

With a little bit of planning and a sprinkle of regular care, a potted Christmas tree can become a permanent festive addition to your home. Have our tips helped you plant your potted tree or spruce up your garden for the new year? We’d love it if you shared some pictures with us on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok.