Choosing a pot-grown Christmas tree is a wonderful decision, offering the classic festive look with the sustainable bonus of being a living plant you can keep. When purchasing one in December, look carefully to ensure you’re getting a container-grown tree, not just one recently dug up and placed in a pot. A truly pot-grown tree will have a more developed, stable root ball, making it much more likely to survive after the holidays. Examine the pot—roots shouldn’t be excessively bulging or sparse. The needles should be a vibrant colour for the variety (like the deep green of a Nordmann Fir) and feel firm, not dry or brittle.

Once you bring your new tree home, the key to its survival indoors is to minimise the shock of a warm environment. A living tree prefers cool, moist conditions. Position your tree in the coolest part of the room, well away from heat sources like radiators, fireplaces, and even underfloor heating, all of which will dry it out rapidly. If possible, keep its stay indoors limited, ideally to no more than 10 to 12 days, to reduce stress.

Watering is crucial. A potted tree relies entirely on you for moisture. Check the soil every few days using the ‘finger dip’ test: if the top couple of inches feel dry, it’s time to water thoroughly until you see excess draining out the bottom. Do not let it sit in a saucer full of water, as this can lead to root rot. After the festive period, acclimatise your tree slowly by moving it to an unheated space, such as a conservatory, for a week before placing it outside. This gentle transition ensures your tree remains healthy and ready to be enjoyed again next year.

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