If you've chosen a real fir tree this year, you might be wondering how often you should water your Christmas tree to ensure it lasts throughout the celebrations.
When it comes to choosing a real Christmas tree, there's more to keeping your Christmas tree theme looking its best, as the lush greenery needs regular watering to remain that way and avoid becoming a dry, potentially dangerous fire hazard for your home.
So just how much is enough when it comes to keeping Christmas trees hydrated? We asked horticultural experts and, much like how often you should water succulents, it would seem the gardening pros are unanimous in their advice – and it's more than many may think.
How often should you water a Christmas tree?
How long a real Christmas lasts is very much down to being well-watered. "Real Christmas trees can last up to six weeks with the right care," says Andy Little, a Christmas Tree Buyer at British Garden Centres.
"Water daily, as they can take up to two or three pints in the first few days. Regular topping-up not only keeps it looking its best but also reduces fire risk and keeps your decorations safe throughout the season."
"You should water your real Christmas tree with at least 500ml of water, once a day," advises Liam Walsh, a horticultural expert from Log Delivery. "This is really important, as Christmas trees can actually take in up to 2 litres of water a day, depending on the size.
Get yourself into a good routine of watering your Christmas tree so you don't forget, to ensure that you're not letting your tree dry out."
How much water does a Christmas tree need?
“You ought to water your Christmas tree daily, in the same way, you do for your favourite fresh-cut flowers or potted plants," agrees David Denyer, award-winning in-house florist at eflorist.
"The amount, however, is largely dependent on the temperature of the room. If you’re someone who needs the heating on full blast from October to March every year, then your Christmas tree might need as much as three pints of water in a single day," says David.
"Generally speaking, it’s best to keep your tree in a cool location with limited exposure to the sun. This, in tandem with regular watering, should see your tree last for roughly six weeks.” This explains why experts do not recommend one of the most common spots.
As long as there is always some level of water for the tree to absorb, it will stay healthy for as long as possible.
What is the best thing to water a Christmas tree with?
Is it similar to trying to make cut flowers last longer? Should you add feed or special ingredients to the water? "Plain water is the best for watering a Christmas tree. There is no need for additional feeds or chemical additives, as they have minimal, if any, benefit," Andy explains.
"They may even be harmful by promoting bacterial growth or blocking water uptake for your tree. These additives do not significantly extend the freshness of the tree and can increase needle loss.
Essentially, using just water alone should be sufficient, according to our experts. "Reviving a droopy Christmas tree is a headache that no one wants to endure, with those celebrating the festive season turning to bizarre anecdotal hacks ranging from lemonade to Viagra to help keep their tree alive," reveals David. "However, a constant supply of water is all that your tree should realistically need."
However, you can add a dash of baking soda to the water to kill off any potential bacteria in the water to help keep your Christmas tree alive for longer and looking its best.
Should you water a Christmas tree with warm or cold water?
Surprisingly, the temperature can also affect how well your Christmas tree absorbs the water. "You should water a Christmas tree in your home with room temperature or slightly warm water," Andy advises. "Warm water can be beneficial the first time you water the tree because it helps dissolve any sap that may have sealed the base, allowing the tree to absorb water more effectively.
"Hot water is not recommended as it can harm the tree. Cold water is not necessary and may be less readily absorbed compared to warm water.
Should I spray my Christmas tree with water?
Ideally, you need to water from the base because this is where the roots would take up water if the tree were still planted in the ground. Spraying the tree can help prevent the tree from looking dehydrated, but this would only be necessary if it's not being watered enough. Think of it the same way you would your skin, moisturiser can hydrate the skin on a surface level, but if you don't drink enough water, you're already dehydrated on the inside, where it matters most.
“Spraying your Christmas tree with water can reduce its dryness in the short term and lower the number of needles that fall off. However, it will not prolong the tree’s life," confirms William.
"You should avoid spraying your tree with additives as they are unnecessary and will not provide any benefit. The most effective way to look after your tree is by watering the trunk with water alone.”
What happens if you don't water a Christmas tree?
What happens if you don't water a Christmas tree is simple: it will die prematurely – and with potentially dangerous consequences.
A real Christmas tree indoors, without water, dries out very quickly, given that our homes are warm due to central heating, and trees prefer to be outside in the cold air with more moisture. "Avoid neglecting your tree at all costs," William warns. "If you don’t regularly water your tree, it will become dry and brittle, making it a dangerous fire hazard first and foremost."
“A dry Christmas tree is highly flammable,” warn the experts at Alan Boswell Landlord Building Insurance. “For those opting for real trees, make sure to keep them hydrated to avoid this."
"Also, the tree will droop, the needles will fall off and it will give off an unpleasant odour," William points out, which is the last thing you want before the big day.
Our team of experts share their top watering tips:
- Cut the base to encourage better feeding: Before you've decorated it in your finest array of the best Christmas decorations, experts advise cutting the trunk for better results when watering. "As soon as you take your tree out of the net, you should cut 1-2 inches off the bottom of the trunk before placing it in a large bucket or tree stand," advises William Mitchell, gardening expert and owner of Sutton Manor Nursery. "This opens up the tree’s pores, allowing it to easily absorb water. If you don’t cut the bottom of the trunk, it will remain blocked with sap and will struggle to drink water, no matter how often you feed it."
- Don't add sand to your stand to support the trunk: "You should refrain from putting your tree in soil or sand as this will also block the pores, making water absorption extremely difficult," says William.
- Test water levels daily with your finger: "If your tree is in a stand, keep the water reservoir topped up," says Dobbies’ Horticultural Expert, Marcus Eyles. "Test with your finger daily to see if it needs more water - if you can feel the water at the bottom of the stand, don’t add any more."
- Keep the soil damp for potted trees: "If your tree is potted, keep the compost damp but don’t overwater it," Marcus warns. "Test the soil with your finger - if the top layer feels dry, then add water.”
If you do forget to add water for a few days, dried sap will start to seal the trunk and slow down water absorption. If this happens, make a fresh cut and promptly refill the stand with water.
Keep your tree hydrated and always check your Christmas tree lights, ensure they have no frayed wires, and remember to switch them off at night or when you leave the house.
On that note, we're off to give our Christmas trees a well-deserved drink of water.
