Q. I’m seeing all these cute little potted Christmas trees in the garden centers and was considering buying a few. How do I care for them? Can they be planted outside here?
Some of the most common potted trees that show up around Christmas are Italian Stone Pine, Rosemary (upright variety), Lemon Cypress, and Norfolk Island Pine. All of these, except for Norfolk Island Pine, can be planted outdoors after the holidays.
Italian Stone Pine is very well adapted to Southern California. It thrives in our Mediterranean climate and, once established, is drought tolerant. Plant it in full sun (at least 6 hours per day) where the soil drains freely. It will tolerate some pollution, so you can use it as a street tree. Like most pines, it grows slowly and can eventually reach 60 feet in height and has an attractive umbrella shape with a spread of 20-40 feet.
Rosemary is a versatile plant that can be used as a freestanding shrub, topiary, or hedge. Like the Italian Stone pine, it enjoys a Mediterranean climate and is drought- and heat-tolerant. It is easy to propagate from cuttings so you can generate enough plants to make a nice hedge without having to purchase more of them. Upright rosemary is also one of the best culinary varieties.
Lemon Cypress prefers cooler temperatures and higher humidity, so it would not do well in areas where the summers are blisteringly hot and dry. With some attention it can live indoors in bright indirect light. The dwarf type of Lemon Cypress that is sold at Christmastime will only grow to about 3 feet. Its yellow-green color and its pleasant citrus scent could make an interesting addition to your houseplant collection.
Norfolk Island Pine is native to Norfolk Island, which is kind of between Australia and New Zealand. This is not a Mediterranean plant and would not survive outdoors anywhere that is subject to frost. It can be grown as a houseplant and can reach 8 feet if you don’t kill it first. It needs bright, indirect light and 40-60% humidity. It needs watering at least every 1-2 weeks, but you should allow the soil to dry out before watering. It also appreciates occasional fertilization during its growing period.
Pine trees can be an attractive, low-maintenance, and drought-tolerant addition to your landscape. They prefer lean free-draining soil, full sun, and regular watering. They don’t like hard pruning and their slow growth habit means that they will rarely need any trimming or shaping. Rosemary and Italian Stone pine are only two of the many varieties that will thrive here. For more information on pines native to California, see https://calscape.org/
Los Angeles County
mglosangeleshelpline@ucdavis.edu; 626-586-1988; http://celosangeles.ucanr.edu/UC_Master_Gardener_Program/
Orange County
ucceocmghotline@ucanr.edu; http://mgorange.ucanr.edu/
Riverside County
anrmgriverside@ucanr.edu; https://ucanr.edu/sites/RiversideMG/
San Bernardino County
mgsanbern@ucanr.edu; 909-387-2182; http://mgsb.ucanr.edu
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