Mini-potted Christmas trees are an easy way to make your home feel jolly. And (bonus) they’re re-plantable too! Because trees are for life, not just for Christmas. If you’re thinking about getting a tiny tree, either for yourself or someone else as a gift, we’ve got all the top tips on how to look after it properly and what to do with it after the holidays.

Why choose a potted Christmas tree?

Wondering why you should choose a potted tree over a cut or a fake tree? We’ll give you 3 reasons.

1. They’re cute.

2. They’re easy to decorate.

3. They’re sustainable.

Need we say more?! Cut trees get tossed away. Fake trees sit in the loft, gathering dust for 11 months. But, potted trees can be replanted in your garden, or a bigger pot, and admired all year. Then, you can bring it back inside next December to decorate. It can be a fun new tradition for the whole family!

How to look after a potted Christmas tree

Right, you’ve got your mini tree now. And it looks twinkly and pretty and Christmassy. Perfect! But how do you make sure it stays thriving all year? We’ve got you covered.

1. Give it plenty to drink

Like all plants, your tree will need water to be happy and healthy. We all feel a little down when we’re dehydrated, and trees are no different. To find out if your tree is thirsty or not, do the fingertip test every few days. Just dip your fingers in the soil - if they come out dry, give your tree a good drink. If the soil still feels moist, then leave it for another couple of days.

2. Make sure it has good drainage

We hope you’re taking notes because this next step is super important… don’t overwater your tree! Giving your tree too much to drink can cause root rot. And your tree will not be happy about it. Would you want to live in a damp and soggy house? We didn’t think so. Make sure the pot you keep your tree in has a drainage hole so any excess water can drain out.

3. Keep it somewhere cool

Christmas trees are all about the winter season. They love the colder weather, a little drizzle of rain, and the frosty mornings and evenings. So, keeping it somewhere that stays cool and close to fresh air is perfect. For best results we’d recommend keeping them outside and in summer months, try to keep them out of direct sunlight which might dry out their needles. As pretty as they would look next to a fireplace, you really want to avoid putting them somewhere hot or in direct sunlight. This is because they can dry out easily and scorch their needles.

4. Decorate it lightly

Remember, these trees are only little, so they can’t take a lot of weight. Save your heavier decorations for a bigger tree, or to place them around the house. Our mini trees come with all the decorations you need, like tiny led string lights, some fun garlands, and lightweight ornaments. You won’t need a lot to make your mini potted tree look fabulously festive!

What to do with a potted Christmas tree after the holidays

When Christmas is over, and the only chocolates left in the tub are Bounty bars, it’s time to take the decorations off your tiny tree and give it a new home for the year. We’d suggest replanting your tree in a slightly bigger pot - making sure you take it out of its original pot carefully with all the roots.

Fill your pot with fresh soil, about a third of the way up. The tree and its rootball should fill the majority of the new pot but leave a little space for topping with more compost to cover the roots. Then put your little Christmas tree in. Pat down the soil to make sure the tree is secure and standing tall. And make sure none of the roots are showing. When the tree is all happy in its new home, keep it on a balcony, patio, or doorstep all year long and watch it grow.

During the summer months, you might need to move it out of direct sunlight. And don’t forget to water it more often to avoid it drying out. If you want to keep its classic Christmas tree shape, you should also prune any drying or unruly branches.

When December comes around again, and your tree is ready to get dressed up and dazzle guests, slowly get it used to the indoors again. Bringing it inside a warm house straight away might shock the tree. Instead, leave it outside during the day and inside at night for about a week. This way, your tree will have a smooth adjustment and be ready to fulfill its Christmas duties.