What Should You Put in Your Christmas Tree Water?
We’ve all heard the holiday hacks—add sugar! Use 7-Up! Toss in aspirin! But when it comes to caring for your real Christmas tree, the best thing you can put in the water is… just water.
💧 Keep It Simple: No Additives Needed
There’s no need to turn your tree stand into a science experiment.
❌ No 7-Up
❌ No sugar
❌ No fertilizer
❌ No aspirin
✅ Just clean, room-temperature water
While you can find commercial Christmas tree preservatives on the market, research shows their benefits are minimal at best. They won’t hurt, but they won’t make a dramatic difference either.
Bottom line: Your tree doesn’t need anything fancy—it just needs to stay hydrated.
Make Watering Easy: Use a Tree Funnel
Want to keep your tree fresh without crawling under branches or lifting the skirt every day?
Invest in a Christmas tree watering funnel.
Tuck it into the back of the tree, out of sight.
You’ll be able to add water easily without disturbing decorations or scratching up your hands.
Pro Tip: You can find watering funnels at most garden centers or online. Some are disguised as ornaments for an even more seamless look.
How Much Water Does a Christmas Tree Need?
It depends on how long it’s gone without water before it arrived at your home.
A typical 6-7 foot tree that was dry before setup can drink 1 to 2 quarts of water in the first 24 hours.
Once the trunk becomes fully saturated, daily water intake slows down to about a pint or two per day.
If you purchased your tree from a reputable lot (like Santa & Sons!) where trees are kept in water immediately after cutting, that initial water uptake has already happened—so you’ll likely notice a slower, steadier rate.
What If the Stand Goes Dry?
It happens—don’t panic.
The tree’s trunk holds moisture for several days, and it typically takes 3 to 4 days before the cut begins to seal over and restrict water flow.
If your stand runs dry for a day or two, refill it as soon as possible and monitor the level moving forward.
Wrap-Up: Keep It Fresh with Consistent Watering
You don’t need magic potions or secret ingredients to keep your Christmas tree fresh and fragrant all season long. Just:
Use clean water
Check the level regularly
Make watering easy with a funnel
Don’t stress if you forget for a day
And remember—buying a fresh tree from a trusted lot like Santa & Sons gives you a head start on hydration and holiday joy.
Order your fresh tree online today and keep the season simple, safe, and stress-free.