Living Christmas Trees: Indoor Days and Planting Out by Zone
The short answer
A living Christmas tree is a potted or balled tree you bring inside briefly for the holidays, then plant outdoors. Leave it indoors only a short time, in a cool spot away from heat, and water it regularly. Choose a species suited to your hardiness zone and dig the planting hole before the ground freezes.
A living tree gives you a holiday tree now and a yard tree for years. It takes planning to make that work.
What is a living Christmas tree?
A living Christmas tree is a conifer sold with its roots. It may come in a container or as a balled and burlapped tree with a soil ball wrapped in burlap.
Unlike a cut tree, it stays alive through the holidays. After the season, you plant it outside.
The Clemson Cooperative Extension HGIC fact sheet on living Christmas trees explains how to choose, care for and plant a living tree.
Which trees work well?
Pick a species that grows well in your area. Spruces, firs, pines and some cedars are common choices, and some suit cold northern zones. Others suit warmer southern ones.
Check your zone on the USDA Agricultural Research Service plant hardiness zone map and pick a tree rated for it.
Think about mature size too. Many conifers grow very large. Pick a spot with room for the tree to grow.
How long can it stay indoors?
Not long. Most guides suggest about a week to ten days indoors. Warm indoor air can break the tree’s dormancy. A tree that starts growing indoors may be damaged when moved back into cold.
Set the tree in the coolest room you can, away from heat vents, fireplaces and sunny windows.
| Step | Timing | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dig planting hole | Before the ground freezes | Store the soil where it will not freeze |
| Move to a cool garage | A few days before bringing inside | Helps the tree adjust |
| Bring indoors | About a week to ten days | Cool room, away from heat |
| Move back to garage | A few days after the holidays | Eases the change back to cold |
| Plant out | Promptly after | Water and mulch |
Sources: Clemson Cooperative Extension, Colorado State University Extension.
How do you care for it indoors?
Move the tree to an unheated garage or porch for a few days first. That eases the change from cold to warm.
Set the root ball in a big tub or on a waterproof tray. Hold the root ball moist, but not soggy.
Use small, cool LED lights. Avoid heavy decorations that bend branches.
How do you plant it out?
Dig the hole in fall before the ground freezes. Store the backfill soil in a garage or cover it so it stays workable.
After the holidays, move the tree back to a cool garage for a few days. Then plant it.
Make the hole as deep as the root ball and two to three times as wide. Set the root flare at the soil surface. Remove burlap, twine and wire from at least the top of the ball.
The Colorado State University Extension guide to tree planting steps explains how to find the root flare, set depth and backfill.
Water well. Spread mulch over the root area, pulling it back from the trunk. Our post on mulch for cannabis covers mulch types and depth.
Our post on transplanting marijuana plants covers ways to reduce shock when moving any plant.
What about cold after planting?
Water the tree on mild winter days when the ground isn’t frozen. Evergreens lose water through needles all winter.
Our post on frost damage on cannabis explains how cold affects plant tissue.
Can it stay in a pot?
Short term, yes. Long term, most conifers outgrow pots and suffer from frozen roots in cold climates. Planting out is better.
Should I fertilize at planting?
Usually not. New trees need time to grow roots. Wait until spring and only if growth looks poor.
How do you plan the planting spot?
Pick a sunny site with room for the tree’s mature width and height. Many conifers spread wide at the base. Give them room away from driveways and buildings.
A living tree can become a windbreak, a privacy screen or a winter home for birds. Think about how it will look and work in ten or twenty years.
How to: step by step
- Choose a species suited to your zone.
- Dig the planting hole before the ground freezes.
- Move the tree to a cool garage first.
- Leave it indoors only a short time.
- Water the root ball regularly.
- Plant out promptly and mulch.
Mark the planting spot before snow covers it.
Troubleshooting
Needles drop. The room is warm. Move away from heat.
Tree dies after planting. The zone is wrong. Check hardiness.
Frozen ground. No hole was ready. Dig ahead.
Root ball dries. Watering was light. Check it daily.
Brown needles in spring. Winter was dry. Water on mild days.
A living Christmas tree carries holiday memories into the garden for years. Kind Seed Co shares more garden projects in outdoor growing.
Sources
- Living Christmas trees, Clemson Cooperative Extension HGIC, Living Christmas trees
- 2023 USDA plant hardiness zone map, USDA Agricultural Research Service, 2023 USDA plant hardiness zone map
- Tree planting steps, Colorado State University Extension, Tree planting steps
FAQ
How many days can a living tree stay inside?
About a week to ten days in a cool room.
Which trees work well?
Conifers rated for your hardiness zone.
Can it stay in a pot?
Short term only. Plant it out for long term growth.
Should I fertilize at planting?
Usually not. Wait until spring.
When should I dig the hole?
In fall, before the ground freezes.
