Like fresh flowers, a real Christmas tree has a lifespan that dwindles once it has been cut. Evergreen trees will last only for a month to six weeks after being harvested, depending on which of the many popular Christmas tree types you pick. Needless to say, a dead Christmas tree can really kill the holiday vibes. Adding sugar to your Christmas tree's water is one of the common ways people attempt to keep their tree alive for longer, but there's some uncertainty as to whether or not it works.
Folk wisdom holds that sugar acts as food for the tree to soak up along with the water, which helps prolong its lifespan. People who believe in it often use a ratio of one cup of sugar per every gallon of water added to the reservoir. So is this just a Christmas wish, or is Christmas tree water with sugar actually legit?
Is Sugar Water Effective for Christmas Trees?
There's no evidence that the sugar hurts the tree, but there's no evidence that it helps either. Advocates of using sugar water for Christmas trees say the mixture acts as artificial sap or food for the tree, thereby nourishing it and helping it live longer. They may also be drawing on the recipe for flower food, which combines citric acid, sugar, and bleach to feed blooms and kill bacteria. (Note how much less sugar is in flower food compared with sugar water for Christmas trees—typically just one teaspoon per quart.) However, the supporting evidence is lacking and mostly anecdotal. This old wives' tale may be a waste of perfectly good sugar, but there are other techniques you can try to help keep your tree alive.
How to Keep Your Christmas Tree Alive Longer
Save the sugar for holiday baking. These three tips will actually extend your Christmas tree's lifespan and help it look fresh for as long as possible.
Trim the Trunk
Similar to trimming flower stems prior to placing them in a vase, you should trim the trunk of your tree by a few inches if wasn't freshly cut when you bought it. This helps the tree absorb water, which actually will help it last longer. Ask the attendant at the tree lot to trim the base or carefully do it yourself when you get your tree home. Just be sure not to accidentally cut off any of the large branches at the bottom that make it look full.
Add Fresh Water Daily
To be sure your tree is getting enough water and avoid sitting water that can lead to trunk rot, refresh the water in the tree stand daily or at least every other day.
Beware of Heat Sources
If possible, avoid placing your Christmas tree under or above a heat vent or near a radiator. The heat or draft can make the tree dry out faster and lead to early needle dropping.
Kate McGregor is House Beautiful's Digital Editor, writing in-depth , design inspiration stories, and . With over five years of experience writing commerce and search-optimized content for brands like Domino, Real Simple, and Architectural Digest’s Clever, Kate has developed a passion for uncovering the personal stories that often lie behind the inspiration for people’s spaces. She previously worked as the assistant market editor at ELLE Decor where she identified top products and brands in the industry and interviewed emerging designers about their thoughts on the latest . Kate holds a bachelor’s degree from Belmont University. When not researching the specificities of begonia plant care, you can find Kate scouring vintage markets for the ideal wrought-iron chair, knitting yet another cardigan, or reading historical nonfiction.
