Why is my dwarf Alberta spruce dying? I water it once a week

Here’s a picture of it. Any advice would be great! I’m really worried about it.


Rafe said:
Put it outside! These trees need at least 3 months of winter dormancy.

Trees belong outside.

^^^you ^can ^tell ^by ^the ^way ^it ^is

Vesper said:

Rafe said:
Put it outside! These trees need at least 3 months of winter dormancy.

Trees belong outside.

^^^you ^can ^tell ^by ^the ^way ^it ^is

Nature is amazing!

Vesper said:

Rafe said:
Put it outside! These trees need at least 3 months of winter dormancy.

Trees belong outside.

^^^you ^can ^tell ^by ^the ^way ^it ^is

r/unexpectedperdhapley vibes here :joy:

This tree needs to be outside—or at least in an unheated garage or shed. They require a dormant period during winter to stay healthy.

Kai said:
This tree needs to be outside—or at least in an unheated garage or shed. They require a dormant period during winter to stay healthy.

And it shouldn’t stay in a plastic pot with foil wrapping and no drainage!

I agree with everyone. This tree would thrive much better outdoors during the winter since that’s its natural habitat.

Keats said:
It’s just not meant to be a houseplant.

Mine is actually thriving indoors right now. It’s under grow lights, using an irrigation wick, and near a cold exterior wall in my old Chicago building. But yeah, unless you’re willing to go all out, it’s not ideal for indoors.

It probably wants to be outside. That’s where it’s happiest!

You could check with folks on r/bonsai. They’re experts at keeping spruces alive in small pots.

Toryn said:
You could check with folks on r/bonsai. They’re experts at keeping spruces alive in small pots.

I’m on that forum often, and most advice here lines up with what they’d say. Some would tell you to try detailed fixes, but others might just say RIP to another conifer brought indoors. :joy:

It really needs to be outside in winter. Mine started looking rough during its first winter indoors, but once I moved it outside, it began to recover. A bigger pot and proper watering would help, but outdoor dormancy is key.

Why is this tree indoors? Mine is outside in a pot, and I’ve never watered it. It’s thriving and greener than ever.

Is that foil to reflect light? Either way, the pot looks way too small for the roots. It needs more space.

@Zenith
I’ve had the same bad luck with dwarf Alberta spruces. But my Bird’s Nest Spruce and Little Gem Norway Spruce are thriving. It’s strange since I treat them all the same way.

Peyton said:
@Zenith
I’ve had the same bad luck with dwarf Alberta spruces. But my Bird’s Nest Spruce and Little Gem Norway Spruce are thriving. It’s strange since I treat them all the same way.

I’ve had one in a cement pot for 4-5 years now, and it’s doing fine in freezing temps. But bringing it indoors for winter would probably kill it. You can’t just put it outside now, though—it wouldn’t survive the sudden change.

It’s root-bound. You need to soak it, untangle the roots, and repot it in something much bigger.

It could be a lack of nutrients in the soil.

It’s indoors and too warm. It needs at least 90 days of cold weather. Either move it outside or simulate winter in a freezer.

It doesn’t have enough root space. Try a 5-gallon bucket! I have a similar plant that’s thriving on my porch in a shaded area.