How often should I water my Christmas tree?
Check your Christmas tree's water level every day and refill the stand whenever needed.
The number one tree care you can mistake is letting the stand run out of water! So don't wait until the stand looks empty. With some tree stands, there may still be water in the reservoir even though the bottom of the trunk is no longer submerged.
Fresh-cut trees often drink the most water during their first week indoors, so you may be surprised by how quickly the level drops.
How much water does a Christmas tree need?
The exact amount varies based on the tree's size, species, indoor temperature, and other conditions.
As a general guideline, choose a stand that can hold approximately 1 quart of water for every inch of trunk diameter.
For example:
3-inch trunk → at least 3 quarts
4-inch trunk → at least 1 gallon
5-inch trunk → at least 1¼ gallons
A tree may consume a substantial portion of that water each day, particularly shortly after it is cut.
Should I keep checking the water after the first week?
Yes. Check the water daily for as long as the tree is in your home, and never let the stand run dry.
Your tree may drink less water later in the season, but the base of the trunk should remain submerged at all times. If the stand runs out of water and the fresh-cut base is exposed to air, the trunk can begin to dry out. As the sap at the cut surface hardens, it can partially seal the base and make it harder for the tree to absorb water when the stand is refilled.
Penn State and the National Christmas Tree Association both recommend checking the water daily and using a stand that holds roughly one quart of water per inch of trunk diameter.