A Christmas tree brings light and tradition to winter days, but once the season ends you may be wondering: can I plant my Christmas tree in the garden?
The answer is yes, you can if you have a living tree with roots. Planting your tree out after Christmas, instead of discarding it, is a lovely way to extend its life, reduce waste and even enjoy it again next year. Here’s how to plant your Christmas tree, care for it well, and make it part of your winter landscape for years to come.
Planting a potted Christmas tree
Each year in the UK, around eight million real Christmas trees are disposed of after just a few weeks, resulting in approximately 12,000 tonnes of waste *.
Choosing a potted tree helps to avoid this waste and with a little care, your tree can be replanted after the festivities.
If you are gifting one of our real mini Christmas trees this year, or have bought a larger tree for your home, we want to reassure you that planting it outside is simple and rewarding. These rooted trees are ideal for replanting and can thrive in containers or garden soil with the right care.
There are two main types of potted trees:
- Container grown trees have been raised in pots from a young age. These have the highest success rate for replanting as their roots are intact and undisturbed.
- Potted trees may have been dug up and potted for sale. They can still be replanted, though some root loss may reduce their chances of survival.
If you're not sure which type you have, check with your supplier. At Tree2mydoor, our Christmas trees come with clear guidance to help you choose a tree that can thrive long after December.
Before planting: caring for your tree indoors
Success starts with how you treat the tree during Christmas. Keep it in a cool room, away from radiators or fires. Place it somewhere with natural light and water it regularly, keeping the soil moist but not soaked.
After the festive season, don’t move it straight outside. Sudden temperature drops can shock the tree. Let it adjust in stages: place it in an unheated porch, greenhouse or shed for a week before planting it into the ground.
How to plant your Christmas tree
Choose a mild winter day when the soil isn’t frozen or waterlogged. Water the tree in its pot before removing it as this helps reduce stress on the roots.
- Dig a hole wide enough for the rootball and deep enough so the base of the trunk sits at ground level.
- Place the tree in the hole and backfill with soil. Gently firm it in.
- Water well after planting. In dry spells, continue watering until the roots are established.
To retain moisture and regulate temperature, mulch around the base with organic matter, but keep it an inch away from the trunk to avoid rot.
Next Christmas: can you bring it back inside?
Yes, but you must do this carefully. Re-potting your tree into a larger container makes it easier to bring indoors next year. Just remember: any time a tree is moved, it can experience stress, so treat it gently.
To bring it indoors again, repeat the acclimatisation process in reverse: move it to a cool porch or shed for a few days before returning it to your living space.
Alternatively, you can decorate it outdoors and enjoy a living festive feature in the garden. This is a great low stress option for both you and the tree.
Can you plant a cut Christmas tree?
Unfortunately, cut trees won’t grow roots once harvested. Once in water or soil, the trunk will begin to decay. But you can still reuse it creatively.
Try taking small cuttings and dipping them in rooting hormone to propagate new plants. While success isn’t guaranteed, it’s a hopeful and rewarding way to try growing a new tree.
Whether you replant or re-purpose, making the most of your tree after Christmas is a small, positive gift to the planet. And if you’re gifting a tree this year, our MyTree™ care plan offers guidance long after the gift is given.
Wishing you a peaceful, green Christmas and a hopeful New Year.
*GWP Group: Christmas packaging facts and waste statistics