The alternative to cut trees and even artificial trees are living Christmas trees. Many garden centres sell containerized pine or varieties of spruce that can be planted out in the yard (if you have one) in the spring. Some can even be left in the container and put out on a deck or balcony during the spring and summer. For some condo dwellers this may not be practical, but there is an alternative that can give you that living Christmas tree look.

Norfolk pines seem to be gaining popularity as more people look to them as a living Christmas tree that looks great in the home even after Christmas. The look of the pine, with its emerald green colour, soft needles and gently-dropping branches is appealing. It makes an excellent Christmas tree or can be used as a backdrop for other festive holiday decorating. Retailers often carry a variety of sizes of these trees. They can range from small ones suitable for a tabletop right up to large floor plants. You can find a size suitable for any room or setting. 

The Norfolk pine is not hardy enough to be grown outdoors in our climate, as it is native to Norfolk Island, located in the south Pacific near Australia and New Zealand. Though in its native location it can grow 50 to 65 metres tall, thankfully, it does not get that large when grown indoors. While Norfolk pines make great houseplants, they do require a little effort. The ideal indoor setting for this plant is one that is cool and yet bright, while the best temperature is in the 15 to 21 Celsius range. The plant will do well in bright, indirect light but will look its best when given a few hours of direct sun each day. Give your tree a quarter turn weekly if the light is coming from one direction. This will keep the pine from tilting as it leans towards the sun.

Water the plant when the top 2.5 to five centimetres of soil feels dry to the touch. When watering let the water run through the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot. Make sure you empty the drain tray as the pine does not like to have its feet wet. Drain away the excess water within 30 minutes.