Does the Christmas tree boiling water hack work? We asked the experts whether this unusual festive trick works

Rumours of the Christmas tree boiling water hack have been making the rounds for years now. That’s why we knew we needed to find out whether this rumour had any truth to it.

And while we’re fans of the best artificial Christmas trees at Ideal Home, we certainly understand the appeal of a real Christmas tree. From the festive fragrance of the needles to the full and luscious branches, they can definitely make a statement in your home. However, it’s also important to understand how to care for a real Christmas tree. 

This is especially true when it comes to Christmas tree hacks. Sure, some hacks work a treat and keep your Christmas tree thriving for weeks on end, but there are others that don’t quite cut it. So, which category does the boiling water hack fall into? 

The Christmas tree boiling water hack 

We know what you’re thinking: what is the Christmas tree boiling water hack? Well, the rumour making the rounds is that you should water your real Christmas tree for the very first time with boiling water rather than cold water. 

Not only is this supposedly meant to ‘wake up’ the tree after being cut down, but it apparently releases a fresh fragrance that fills your whole house. After that first drink of hot water, you’re then supposed to swap back to the usual cold water. 

Of course, using boiling water to water your Christmas tree seems like a fairly unusual thing to do - which is why we decided to reach out to the experts and see what they had to say on the matter. Unfortunately, you might want to put the kettle away. 

‘When the tree is initially cut, sap forms to protect the area where the cut has taken place - you can think of it as a bit like a scab on the human body. This sap can prevent the tree from soaking up water,’ explains Mark Rofe at Christmastrees.co.uk. 

‘I guess the idea to use boiling water would be to help 'melt' the sap so the tree can take up water. However, a better alternative would be to use a handsaw to take about 3 cm off of the base of the tree. The few centimetres you've taken off will allow the tree to take up water more easily, so there's no need to use boiling water.’

In fact, Mark has warned people against using this hack, as it may have a detrimental effect on the health and the overall appearance of the Christmas tree itself. He says, ‘Trees really don’t like the heat, and by using boiling water, you risk warming up the tree and potentially shortening its lifespan in your home, not extending it.’

So, what can you do instead? Oliver Johnson, gardening expert at HomeAdviceGuide.com says, ‘You’ll find your tree will need a lot of water when you first get it home, so give it a drink on a daily basis for the first few days and every few days after that, but you can do this with room temperature water rather than boiling. If you have a stand with a reservoir, simply keep this topped up throughout the festive season.’

Water isn’t the only thing they drink, though. Gardening expert David Domoney has also shared a Christmas tree lemonade hack that others swear by. This hack involves feeding your Christmas tree full-fat lemonade every so often to give it a little boost, as the sugar in the fizzy drink can help to keep the tree looking fresh and full well into December. 

Of course, lemonade should never replace actual water. And it seems as though you shouldn't replace tap water with boiling water, either! 

Instead, Mark says, ‘If you want your tree to last as long as possible, it’s best to keep your tree in your coolest room, away from direct heat such as radiators and underfloor heating, and make sure it always has sufficient water.’

FAQs

Experts may advise against the Christmas tree boiling water hack, but now you can save the water for an extra cup of tea instead!