Those of you who have a Monstera deliciosa at home have probably noticed a few things about it since you got it. One, it’s gorgeous – those leaves, right? Two, it’s expanding – pretty quickly, actually. And three, M. deliciosa has no understanding of healthy personal boundaries. We have a solution for you if you’re losing space to this cute giant houseplant: give it a moss totem to hold on to. Here, we’ll show you how to put one in place so that your monstera can start holding back some of its cute energy.
In its native habitat, M. deliciosa likes to move around, and its strong aerial roots stick to the rough bark of tall rainforest trees to get water. A moss totem is a straight wood stick covered in sphagnum moss that is sunk into the pot with the plant. The natural surface of a monstera gives its roots something to grab on to and draw water from, kind of like a substitute tree. Plant stakes or wire trellises are great for holding up those heavy stems and leaves, but a moss totem lets M deliciosa behave more like it would in the wild.
For a moss totem, we like Mosser Lee’s Totem Pole™ Extendable Plant Supports. These tube-shaped supports look natural and are filled with long-fiber sphagnum moss that absorbs water. They come in three lengths and an extra 12” can be added for when your monstera grows even bigger.
To begin, put the moss totem in a shallow bowl of water and let it soak until it’s completely wet.
Before adding the totem, it’s a good idea to check your plant to see if it needs to be repotted while the moss is soaking. If your M. Since deliciosa is already in a big enough pot and its roots aren’t too crowded, you don’t have to repot the plant to put up the moss totem. If your plant is already ready for a new pot, though, that’s a great time to start it on its new totem.
If it’s time to repot your monstera, take it out of its old pot and look at the roots. If the roots are too close together, loosen them up a bit. Place the plant in the new pot with fresh soil as you normally would, but don’t put it right in the middle. Instead, move it toward the front of the pot. The moss totem can then fit behind the plant, with most of its leaves facing outward.
When the plant and pot are ready, dig deep into the ground with the strong metal supports at the bottom of the wet moss pole. Keep the pole upright and nestle it slightly behind the plant. Then, press the soil gently at the base to stabilize the totem.
The Swiss cheese plant, also known by its scientific name Monstera deliciosa, is a popular houseplant admired for its large, glossy leaves with characteristic holes or fenestrations that resemble Swiss cheese. In the wild, Monstera is a climbing vine that uses its aerial roots to cling to large trees, but when grown as a houseplant, it often ends up with leggy, weak stems that cause the plant to flop over. This is where using a moss pole comes in handy!
Why Does My Monstera Need a Moss Pole?
As a climbing vine that naturally grows up trees and structures in the jungle, Monstera depends on having something sturdy to climb up and cling to. Without proper support, the heavy leaves cause the plant to droop and bend, which not only looks unsightly but also stresses the plant
Providing a moss pole replicates the tree-climbing nature of this species and gives the aerial roots something to grab onto. As the roots anchor themselves to the pole, the plant is supported upright, allowing it to put energy into forming large, robust leaves rather than weaker stems struggling to support the weight
In addition to support, a moss pole also provides moisture and nutrients as the roots penetrate the moss. This supplemental water and food source facilitates larger, healthier growth Simply put, a moss pole set-up is ideal for Monsteras to thrive.
How to Make a DIY Moss Pole
Purchasing a ready-made moss pole from a garden center is certainly convenient, but making your own is a simple, affordable project. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Materials Needed:
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1-2 ft bamboo stake or other wooden dowel
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Sheet moss or sphagnum moss
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Gardener’s twine
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Scissors
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Spray bottle filled with water
Instructions:
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Soak the moss in water for 15 minutes until fully saturated and then squeeze out excess moisture.
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Take handfuls of the damp moss and use the twine to wrap and attach it around the stake. Cover the top 2⁄3 of the pole and keep the bottom portion bare.
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Wrap the moss around the stake roughly 1-2 inches thick, using the twine to secure it in place as you work upwards.
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Use scissors to trim off any excess moss or twine once completely wrapped.
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Lightly mist the moss pole with the spray bottle on a regular basis to maintain moisture.
That’s all there is to it! In no time you will have a handmade moss pole ready for your Monstera to climb.
How to Use a Moss Pole for Your Monstera
Once your moss pole is constructed, it’s time to put it to use! Follow these tips for setting it up with your Monstera:
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Place the bare end of the moss pole into the Monstera’s pot, close to the base of the plant. Firm the pole in place.
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Gently tie the main stem to the pole using more gardener’s twine, coconut coir, or other flexible plant ties. Avoid anything too harsh or restrictive.
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Fertilize the plant and keep the soil consistently moist. This encourages fast growth and promotes aerial root formation.
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Mist the moss pole 1-2 times per day to provide moisture for the aerial roots to grow into.
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As new growth emerges, gently guide stems back towards the moss pole if they start to stray.
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Monitor the ties regularly and loosen or adjust as needed to prevent restriction.
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Sit back and watch your Monstera flourish! Once attached to the pole, larger, more fenestrated leaves will start to appear within a few months.
Tips for Repotting an Established Moss Pole Monstera
After a year or so of growth, your Monstera will likely outgrow its current pot and need repotting. Special care should be taken with an established moss pole plant:
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Select a pot only 2-4 inches wider than the current size to avoid excessive root disturbance.
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Recruit a helper to gently slide the entire plant out of its pot without removing the moss pole. Keep as much soil intact around the roots as possible.
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Place in the new container and fill in around the edges with fresh, high-quality potting mix.
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Water thoroughly and let it recover in a warm, bright spot for 1-2 weeks before resuming normal care.
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Avoid disturbing or repositioning the moss pole, as the plant depends on those anchored aerial roots for support.
With the proper care using a moss pole for support, it is quite rewarding to watch a Swiss cheese plant transform from a small, floppy specimen into a magnificent, towering showpiece in any indoor space. Just be sure to provide adequate light, water, and fertilizer to sustain rapid growth. Happy climbing!
Monstera Adansonii Complete Care Guide Tips + Tricks, Propagation – ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW
FAQ
Do Swiss cheese plants like moss poles?
How to attach a Swiss cheese plant to a moss pole?
What is the best stake for Swiss cheese plant?
When should I add a moss pole to my monstera?
Why does my Swiss cheese plant need a moss pole?
So much about the wild; let us discuss why your Swiss Cheese plant needs a moss pole in your home. It is not that the plant will not be able to grow without a moss pole. Your Monstera deliciosa will grow just as well without any support.
How do you put a moss pole in a Swiss cheese planter?
Once you have the pole covered in moss, you are ready to insert it into the planter. Gently dig a hole just wide enough for the pole in the Monstera’s pot. If you encounter resistance from the plant’s roots, consider placing your pole closer to the edge of the pot to not damage your Swiss Cheese plant’s roots.
What is a Monstera deliciosa Moss pole?
The Monstera Deliciosa, also known as the Swiss Cheese Plant, is a fairly rapid grower, which is why, sooner or later, you’ll want to know how to train this climbing plant on a moss pole.
Can a Swiss cheese plant climb a trellis?
The Swiss Cheese Plant, also known as Monstera adansonii, is a star of the current indoor plant craze. In addition to trail beautifully from baskets in thick, glorious vines, it is also a terrific climber that can be trained to have luscious, large-leaved stems. You’ll need a moss pole, stake, or trellis to train your Monstera adansonii to climb.
How do you grow a Monstera Moss pole?
Attach the stem of the monstera to the moss pole with gardener’s twine. Water the plant thoroughly to help it to establish. After a few weeks, start watering the plant as you normally do. As for the moss pole, spray it with water daily. That keeps it moist and soft so the monstera’s aerial roots can attach easily.
Are Moss Poles good for Monstera plants?
Moss poles are excellent for training Monstera plants to grow vertically rather than horizontally. They provide structural support for the upward growth of epiphytic plants. Why Should You Attach Monstera Stem to a Moss Pole?