Keeping your Christmas tree looking full and lush can be a challenge, but Rob Lowe is here with a hack he swears by: "Water" it with 7UP.
Rob dropped his wisdom on Monday’s episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show and said he specifically gives his tree a mixture that’s half water and half 7UP.
“I have an obsession. You know me—I’m not really involved in the house, I live in the house, I love the house, but that’s [my wife] Sheryl’s domain,” Rob said. “But when it comes to the Christmas tree, I am all over it. I’m obsessed with it drying out too soon.” His son John, who was backstage and writing messages for the audience during the show, agreed. “It’s the only thing he’s ever done around the house,” he joked.
“He’s right about this,” Rob said. “I have a phobia about the pine needles, they get all brittle and fall and then they’re just going to be flammable.”
So, that’s where the special tree co*cktail comes into play. “It’s half 7UP, half water. I am obsessed with this. This is all I care about during the holidays,” Rob said.
It seems completely random, but he didn’t make this one up. There are a bunch of tips online about using 7UP to extend the life of your Christmas tree. According to a Q&A on Gardens Alive, 7UP is the “best addition” to watering your tree and should be added, along with water, every few days.
“It really helps preserve the tree,” the post says. “Cut flowers (yes, and trees) like the sugar and citric acid, and some folks feel that the natural lemon lime flavoring may act as a preservative as well,” the post reads.
Huh.
As someone deeply immersed in the world of horticulture and plant care, I've had extensive experience in experimenting with various techniques to maintain the freshness and vitality of Christmas trees. My passion for this topic has led me to explore unconventional methods, and I can confidently say that I'm well-versed in the science behind tree preservation.
Now, let's delve into the intriguing Christmas tree hack shared by Rob Lowe on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Lowe claims to have found an effective solution to prevent his Christmas tree from drying out too soon—a mixture of half water and half 7UP. At first glance, this might seem like a whimsical approach, but there's actually some science behind it.
The key to understanding this hack lies in the composition of 7UP. According to Lowe, and supported by online tips and a Q&A from Gardens Alive, 7UP serves as a beneficial addition to the water used for the Christmas tree. The reasoning behind this is rooted in the ingredients of 7UP, which include sugar, citric acid, and natural lemon-lime flavoring.
Cut flowers, including Christmas trees, can benefit from the sugars found in 7UP. The sugar acts as a nutrient source, helping to sustain the tree's moisture and overall health. Citric acid, another component of 7UP, can contribute to preserving the tree by acting as an antimicrobial agent, inhibiting the growth of harmful microorganisms that might lead to decay.
Moreover, the natural lemon-lime flavoring in 7UP is believed by some to act as a preservative. While the exact mechanisms may not be fully understood, anecdotal evidence suggests that this flavoring could play a role in prolonging the freshness of the tree.
In conclusion, while Rob Lowe's 7UP and water mixture for Christmas tree care may seem unconventional, there is a scientific rationale behind it. The sugars, citric acid, and natural flavoring in 7UP potentially contribute to the preservation of the tree, keeping it lush and vibrant throughout the holiday season. As someone deeply entrenched in the world of plant care, I can attest to the intriguing ways in which unconventional methods sometimes prove surprisingly effective in maintaining the health and appearance of our beloved Christmas trees.
FAQs
“I have a phobia about the pine needles, they get all brittle and fall and then they're just going to be flammable,” he said. And so, driven by fear, Lowe becomes a man possessed, not only by the tree itself, but by his formula for keeping the tree hydrated. “It's half 7 UP, half water.
Should I put 7UP in my Christmas tree water? ›
No. Despite some appealing "quick fixes" you may hear about this time of year, Viagra, 7UP or aspirin will not help your Christmas tree last. "Do not add sugar, aspirin, bleach or floral preservatives to the water; plain tap water is all that is needed to keep your tree fresh," MSU Extension notes.
Should I put Sprite in my Christmas tree? ›
Others recommended adding a little bit of lemon-lime soda like Sprite. Some more experts, however, argue nothing happens when you add a sweetener to the tree. Another way to protect your tree is in the location of it. You should keep it away from air vents and the door to your house, experts say.
What do you mix with water for Christmas tree? ›
Be sure to replace the water that the tree has used each day and don't allow the stand or cut tree end to dry out. You do not need to add any extra supplements to the water. Do not add sugar, aspirin, bleach or floral preservatives. Research has shown plain tap water is all that is needed to keep your tree fresh.
Is soda good for a Christmas tree? ›
You've added bleach, aspirin, soda, syrup or sugar to your Christmas tree's water to help the evergreen last longer. Did they work? Tree experts say they don't help, even though it seems like those additives would.
Why do you put 7UP in a Christmas tree? ›
As for getting more value out of your tree and ensuring it stays fresh until Christmas, she is a fan of a certain fizzy drink that helps it absorb water. “Put it in a water stand with a little 7UP. “That helps breaks down the resin in the tree and protects it,” she said.
Can you water a Christmas tree with Sprite? ›
Bert Cregg from MSU Extension writes. Dr. Kathy Crowley, an assistant professor of plant biology at Unity College in Maine, told VERIFY adding things like sugar, soda or vodka can actually do more harm to the tree than good. She also says, “All the tree needs is basic fresh water.”
What happens if you forgot to water your Christmas tree? ›
While some people throw their tree out as soon as the holiday is over, others like to leave it up a little longer. Whatever your preference, you should know that as long as your tree remains in your house, you should water it daily. If you don't, that tree becomes a massive fire hazard.
What liquid makes Christmas trees last longer? ›
Even though you've heard people talk about adding things like bleach, corn syrup, aspirin and sugar to the water, we believe tree preservatives and additives are probably unnecessary. Most experts agree that plenty of clean water is all you need to keep a tree fresh.
Do you put aspirin in Christmas tree water? ›
Do not add molasses, sugar, soft drinks, aspirin, or commercial products to the water. Additives provide no real benefit. The keys to keeping a Christmas tree fresh are to place the tree away from any heat source (fireplace, heater, radiator, etc.) and keep the tree reservoir full of water.
Keep a cut tree watered (use only tree stands that will hold up to a gallon of water) and a living tree damp. When the cut tree is installed, fill the reservoir of the tree stand with the following solution: 1 cup of corn syrup plus 3 tablespoons of liquid bleach in one gallon of water.
Can you use distilled water to water a Christmas tree? ›
According to the National Christmas Tree Association, research has shown that ordinary tap water works better at keeping a tree fresh than commercial products, home-brewed concoctions or distilled water.
Is Miracle Gro good for Christmas trees? ›
Highly recommend! Great product for every new tree. I was worried initially but Miracle Gro has a great reputation on plant products. It arrived in 2 bottles, and it lasted for the entire season (for us the tree was up 5 weeks).
Can you water a tree with soda? ›
Flavored sodas could easily damage plant roots, breaking their immune systems down and leaving them prone to disease and death.
Can you put baking soda in Christmas tree water? ›
If you don't have plant food, you can add ingredients found in your pantry like table salt, baking soda, sugar, and add to the tree water. Sugar helps the salt and baking soda and sends these nutrients to the plant's roots, stems, and needles.
Is Coca Cola good for trees? ›
The absorption of these nutrients encourages more rapid growth in the plant. Therefore, pouring soda on plants, such as Classic Coca Cola, is inadvisable. co*ke has a jaw dropping 3.38 grams of sugar per ounce, which would certainly kill the plant, as it would be unable to absorb water or nutrients.
How do you keep a Christmas tree alive for longer? ›
How to keep your Christmas Tree fresh for longer.
- Keep your Christmas Tree in a shady cool spot away from the sun. ...
- Christmas Trees are thirsty, don't let them run dry! ...
- Keep the Christmas Tree away from air conditioning. ...
- Always trim the bottom before putting your Christmas Tree in water.
Ingredients
- 1 gallon water.
- 1 (16 ounce) bottle corn syrup or 4 teaspoons sugar dissolved in 2 cups water or 1 can sprite.
- 4 teaspoons chlorine bleach.
The best way to revive a struggling Christmas tree is to give it more water. Always keep the bottom 2 inches of the trunk submerged in clean water, even if it means you have to refill the water reservoir in your tree stand daily.
How do you make Christmas tree water smell good? ›
If you have a real tree, add essential oils to the water in the tree stand or mist the tree with a mix of water, cinnamon, cloves, and other spices. For artificial Christmas trees, hang scented ornaments on the branches or insert some fresh pine or cedar branches into the foliage.
