You can successfully set up a moss pole monstera to keep the plant in shape and add to its charm. Monstera is a climbing plant and can go up any surface, so if you wish to make this plant look fabulous and improve its growth, you should go ahead and give it plant support with a moss pole.
In this detailed guide, our gardening experts explain how you can go about it. We give you in-depth information on the procedure and tell you how you can make your own DIY moss pole, so wait no longer and read on.
How to Moss Pole Monstera
You can easily set up a moss pole for your monstera by tying the stem to the pole at points, trimming the horizontal stems, and stimulating aerial leaf growth. The moss poles can be a simple bamboo cane or a pipe wrapped with sphagnum moss.
In the section below, we list the actual steps involved in providing support and training. Read how you can get any of the varieties such as monstera deliciosa, monstera adansonii or the Swiss cheese plant effortlessly upright and care for it without too much stress.
– Time It Right
The right time to install moss poles is when the plant is young. This way, the stems are easily pliable around the pole and training monstera to grow vertical is easier. The roots of a young plant will be short as well, so inserting a pole into the pot will be easier.
Also, spring will be an ideal season as the monstera deliciosa plant is in a growth phase then, and recovery from the shock of transplantation will be quicker.
If your monstera has grown considerably and is in a pot, you will need to consider repotting it as sticking in a pole in a pot filled with tangled roots will be near impossible.
Repotting is also essential to prevent any disturbance to the root system, so choose a container that is one size bigger that can accommodate a growing plant along with a pole.
– Prepare a Moss Pole
Begin by choosing the right moss pole for your monstera. You will also require some plant ties that will be used to secure the plant to the pole. You can opt to choose a sphagnum pole, a large totem monkey moss pole, or a coco coir pole, which are ready-to-use ones that are easily available in most gardening stores.
However, the best moss pole for monstera with regards to ease of use is the sphagnum moss pole. The totem pole does not retain moisture and dries out soon, thus it requires more effort of frequent misting.
Also, moss and coco coir poles come in varying degrees of length and you will need to choose one that is at least a few feet taller than your monstera deliciosa plant to give it some space to grow up vertically. You can make your moss pole with this easy DIY.
– DIY Monstera Moss Pole
If you are wondering where to buy a moss pole for monstera, then here is a solution. You can go about and make your own moss pole. These easy steps are cost-effective and efficient as well.
- Before you begin, keep these items ready: a long spread of sphagnum moss, a bamboo stick or a PVC pipe, plastic string, and several soft plant ties.
- Soak the sphagnum completely in a bucket of water for an hour such that it is completely wet.
- Stretch the sphagnum over the pole to cover it entirely. The layer of moss needs to be thick, so ensure you have a sufficient quantity at hand. You can choose to use coir too.
- Fasten the moss to the pole with a string or plant tie. The moss must be firm and not slip away at any portion of the pole. You have just made your moss pole for your monstera.
– Place the Pole at the Right Spot
The right spot to place the moss pole is in the center of the pot. Stick it deep so that it stays firm amidst the falling leaves of the monstera. Also, ensure the moss pole is as close to the stem as possible so that it can easily be fastened to the stem. Remember to soak the pole completely in water before using it for the first time.
Additionally, ensure the soil is not loose around the pole as, over a period with the pole moving out of place, the stability of the monstera may be affected.
– Tie the Thickest Stem
If you have a young monstera, your task of fastening it will be simpler. Gently tug at the stem without bending it too much and fasten it to the pole in such a way that the nodes on the stem touch the moss.
In the case of more mature plants, the stems will be sturdy so fastening it can be a daunting task. Without adding too much stress or tension, use ties to secure it to the stem.
You will require tightening them every week as they could loosen with plant growth. Velcro ties will prove to be an ideal option here as you can easily remove the tension and fasten the stem to the pole securely.
Also, ensure the stem that you pick to fasten is the thickest stem of the monstera and tie at multiple points on the stem to ensure a secure connection with the pole.
– Trim the Horizontal Stems
Trim the stems that are sticking out so that they are stimulated towards vertical growth. Once this is done, in a few days you will find them inching towards the moss pole and will stick to it as well. In a few weeks, they will begin to grow vertically upwards with the support received from the pole.
Make sure the shears you use for trimming the monstera plant are clean and sterilized. You can rub the tool with alcohol before using it to ensure that it is clean and will not cause harm to your plant.
– Mist the Pole and Monstera
Mist the plant and the pole once every two weeks to keep the pole moist. This will ensure the aerial roots attach themselves well to the pole and are stimulated to grow and develop mature leaves.
Make sure the monstera plant doesn’t dry out as this may lead to stunted growth or an unhealthy plant. Misting helps the plant grow healthy and happy.
– Prune Horizontal Leaves
Regularly prune all horizontal leaves growing sideways to channel growth in the direction you want. Pruning also ensures the aerial root growth is stimulated in the upward direction. So if you spot sections of monstera growing outwards away from the pole, it is advisable to prune them instead of forcing them to bend.
– Redirect Light to the Plant
Monsteras tend to incline towards their light source, which can, over time, create an imbalance. Despite being fastened to the pole, such an imbalance can hamper the stability of the pole and plant.
To stimulate uniform vertical growth and to keep the plant stable, rotate the pot at regular intervals so that every section of the plant receives adequate light.
Additionally, place the pot in a spot where there is plenty of bright yet indirect light. If located indoors, you can place the monstera plant near a window that has a lot of light coming in throughout the day.
– Maintain a Proper Watering Schedule
With more vertical growth stimulation, the monstera will require to be watered regularly. Maintain a proper watering schedule and make sure the soil stays slightly moist by giving it proper plant care.
Do not let the soil go dry for a long time as this not only hampers the health of the plant but also the longevity of the pole.
Frequently Asked Question
– Should I Moss Pole My Monstera?
Yes, you should moss pole your monstera as this will make them look nice, prevent their foliage from occupying too much space and make them grow the way you want.
When we look at a monstera with a moss pole compared to one without a moss pole, we can see that adding a support pole gives it a neat look and also helps it to develop distinctive fenestration better and faster.
Besides, the plant is an epiphyte or climbing plant and the aerial roots easily grow into the climbing pole and cling to them. Here are some advantages of having a moss pole for your monstera:
- A moss pole does many things and offers a host of advantages to the monstera plant.
- A pole not only provides support to a monstera, but the contact between the aerial roots and the pole stimulates larger leaves with better fenestrations. It also provides essential micronutrients to the plant.
- As a tropical vining plant, it grows by spreading its foliage at the base of tree trunks. This makes it occupy a lot of space as the leaves of the plant are fairly large.
- With support, the plant can grow upwards and is less likely to be stepped over by humans and animals, thereby protecting its charming leaves.
- The plant foliage spreading on the ground may not receive adequate sunlight, but with a pole and vertical growth, there will be sufficient light for it.
- Having a moss pole adds a lot of aesthetic look to the plant and can easily be accommodated indoors.
Conclusion
In this guide, you have now read and understood the fairly simple process of how you can create a moss pole and train your monstera to grow vertically.
Here is a quick summary of the process as mentioned in this detailed article.
- Monstera plants can have thick foliage that may spread in various directions. To easily tame and train them to grow vertically, you can use a moss pole as support and include them as ideal indoor plants.
- Moss poles are made of sphagnum moss or coco coir wrapped around a bamboo pole or PVC pipe. You can easily make your own at home by using these simple items that are easily available.
- The right time to train your monstera is during the spring season when the plant is in its growth phase. Also, doing it as early as possible such as when the plant is young is advantageous as the stems are more pliable.
- To train the monstera, firmly place the pole in the soil and tie the thickest stem of the monstera to it. Trim any horizontal leaves sticking out.
- Regularly trim and prune the plant to stimulate aerial growth of leaves and to ensure the plant grows vertically upwards. The moss pole needs to be regularly misted to boost the plant to develop foliage.
Now that you have understood the entire process, you surely can train your plant to give it an attractive and charming look. So wait no longer and make your pole for your monstera at home.
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