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Last-Minute Christmas: Mini Tree in a Pot
Create a temporary tree with cuttings or buy a small live tree to love for years
I live in a loft in Brooklyn, a recent transplant to Greenpoint (love my neighborhood!). I work as a freelance writer, blogger, stylist, gilder, and crafter. I curate a daily personal lifestyle blog called the Haystack Needle (http://www.thehaystackneedleonline.com). I'm also one half of the shop Cabin 7 (http://www.shopcabin7.com) — a collection of gilded objects for the home. I started out in magazines, working in the home department of Real Simple magazine and later worked as the home editor of Redbook. I love to scout cool finds for the home — everything from an amazing loveseat to a green laundry detergent that really works. I'm a new mama to our baby girl, Juniper, who amazes me every day with her curiosity for life and big smiles.
I live in a loft in Brooklyn, a recent transplant to Greenpoint (love my... More »
Christmas is almost here. If December has slipped away and you still don't have a tree, create the look of mini trees with fresh cuttings in vintage containers — or plant a living seedling in a pot.
The cuttings offer a quick, affordable way to bring in the Christmas spirit. And unlike cut Christmas trees that get put to the curb come the new year, a small living tree can be planted in the ground and enjoyed for many years to come.
More holiday decorating ideas
The cuttings offer a quick, affordable way to bring in the Christmas spirit. And unlike cut Christmas trees that get put to the curb come the new year, a small living tree can be planted in the ground and enjoyed for many years to come.
More holiday decorating ideas
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Christmas cuttings. Last year, I created these potted pine cuttings as an alternative to a traditional Christmas tree. I loved having their fresh pine scent — and a little reminder of Christmas — on the coffee table after the holidays.
This project was easy to create. First, I picked out a mix of vintage containers to use as vessels. I opted for a mix of vintage mason jars, a metal measuring cup, and a ceramic marmalade jar.
My local florist added a little floral foam to the base of each vessel and created a reservoir for the cuttings. I added the cuttings, sticking the branches into the floral foam. I added potting soil around the base of the cuttings to fill the jars, then put a layer of wood chips on top for a final woodsy touch.
To care for these cuttings, water them every day (especially if your home has the heat going strong). With the reservoir and floral foam, these cuttings lasted for almost two months.
Tip: One little cutting planted in a jar can look a little Charlie Brown Christmas. But I think a grouping of these cuttings in a mix of favorite vessels feels complete. It's a true alternative to a cut tree that can sit on your table.
This project was easy to create. First, I picked out a mix of vintage containers to use as vessels. I opted for a mix of vintage mason jars, a metal measuring cup, and a ceramic marmalade jar.
My local florist added a little floral foam to the base of each vessel and created a reservoir for the cuttings. I added the cuttings, sticking the branches into the floral foam. I added potting soil around the base of the cuttings to fill the jars, then put a layer of wood chips on top for a final woodsy touch.
To care for these cuttings, water them every day (especially if your home has the heat going strong). With the reservoir and floral foam, these cuttings lasted for almost two months.
Tip: One little cutting planted in a jar can look a little Charlie Brown Christmas. But I think a grouping of these cuttings in a mix of favorite vessels feels complete. It's a true alternative to a cut tree that can sit on your table.
by Linda Merrill
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Living trees. You also can keep a small living tree indoors for a short period around Christmas. A dwarf conifer would make a pretty choice, and a garden pot adds country charm.
You can keep your potted tree in its nursery container, and simply place it in a larger decorative pot for the holidays.
You can keep your potted tree in its nursery container, and simply place it in a larger decorative pot for the holidays.
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If you do intend to keep it in a pot beyond the holidays, you may want to give it a larger container.
To replant:
Make sure the roots of the tree are soaked in a bucket of water. Fill the base of your pot with potting soil. Loosen your tree's roots and plant in the container. Use potting soil to fill the spaces around the root ball in the pot. Firm the soil around the roots.
Continue to add more potting soil until the container is full (to just below the rim.) Water your tree to thoroughly, and be sure to water regularly.
To replant:
Make sure the roots of the tree are soaked in a bucket of water. Fill the base of your pot with potting soil. Loosen your tree's roots and plant in the container. Use potting soil to fill the spaces around the root ball in the pot. Firm the soil around the roots.
Continue to add more potting soil until the container is full (to just below the rim.) Water your tree to thoroughly, and be sure to water regularly.
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| Don't keep a potted tree indoors for longer than a month. You could awaken the tree out of dormancy with all the sunlight and warmth inside. In early spring, re-pot your tree in a large outdoor container or plant it in the ground. If you pot a pine sapling for Christmas and you plan to plant it in your yard come spring, be sure to keep these tips in mind: Find the right spot for your tree. Your tree will need room to grow. Young tree saplings are fragile. At the nursery, read the tag or ask about the tree's needs for soil, water, drainage and light. To plant, tip the pot upside down and gently pull out the root ball. Follow the nursery's planting instructions, and water thoroughly. Keep an eye on your tree to be sure it has plenty of water in its first year, as its roots become established. Tell us: Have you planted a living Christmas tree or decorated with cuttings? Post your photo below! |
Ideabook updated on Dec. 20, 2011.
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a colection of mixed vintage containers to use as vessels. Opting for a mix of vintage mason jars, a metal measuring cup, and a ceramic marmalade jar.
i can barely find a plastic bucket when i have to mop up a spill from the kids!