Plant Profile: Christmas Tree

Scientific Name: Picea glauca
Common Names: Christmas Star Tree, White Spruce
Native to: Northern North America

The classic Christmas Tree, often sold as Picea glauca (White Spruce), is a festive favourite that brings cheer and greenery into the home during the holiday season. With its dense, blue-green needles and pyramid shape, it’s a timeless choice for decorating with lights and ornaments. Beyond Christmas, this hardy conifer can be planted outdoors where it will continue to grow into a stately spruce tree.

🌱 Care Instructions

• Watering: Frequent – Keep soil consistently moist, especially during the festive season when the tree is indoors and exposed to heating. Never allow the soil to completely dry out. For cut trees, always ensure the stand is filled with water.

• Sunlight: Full – Prefers bright light and, if planted outdoors, full sun. Indoor trees should be placed in the brightest spot possible but away from direct heat sources.

• Growth: Slow to Moderate – Grows steadily, eventually reaching several metres outdoors. Potted versions will remain more compact but should be repotted as they grow.

Extra Tips

• Avoid placing your Christmas Tree near heating vents, fireplaces, or drafty doors.

• Mist the branches lightly to keep needles fresh and reduce drying out.

• After Christmas, potted trees can be moved outdoors to a sunny spot or planted into the garden.

• Feed with a conifer fertiliser during the growing season if keeping in a pot.

• White Spruce is hardy in cooler climates but may struggle in very hot or dry conditions.