When they are young, climbing plants dont really show off their beauty. At first, they tend to grow rather bushy. Its cute, but in a hanging basket its really nothing to speak about. They develop long shoots as they get older. After this, you can either let the plants hang down or put them on a table and put a stick or small trellis in the pot. It depends on the type of plant. Then they can climb up instead of hanging down.
Dont be surprised that some plants can be both climbing and hanging. Regardless, they all need some type of plant support to keep them looking and behaving at their best. Read on to learn more about managing vining plants inside the home.
Wood, wire, rattan, and bamboo all make great supports for climbing houseplants. You can get a trellis, spindle, and even round arches. You can always make your own with a little wire covered in plastic or wire that doesn’t rust if you’re good at it. No matter what you use, make sure that the climbing plant supports are put in the pot when the plant is planted. Thick stakes poked into the planting mix later will pose a threat to your established roots.
The soft shoots of climbing plants can be trained around the supports. Depending on how the support is built, you can make the plant look like an orb, a pyramid, or even a heart. Put the shoots on the support with string so they are loose. This will help them hold better.
Climbing houseplants like philodendrons pothos, and monsteras add a dramatic vertical element to indoor spaces. But without proper support the vining stems can quickly turn into a trailing mess.
Providing a structure for climbing plants to attach to helps train their growth upwards in a neat and tidy way. It also mimics their natural habitat of climbing trees and structures in the wild.
This article will cover different options for indoor plant supports, how to set them up properly, and tips for caring for vining houseplants using trellises and stakes.
Why Climbing Plants Need Support
Climbing houseplants have naturally vining growth habits. When the stems don’t have anything solid to cling to, they will grow along the soil and container edge, searching for stability.
Without adequate support, the vines can look unruly and take over nearby furniture or floors. Weak floppy growth is also more prone to damage.
Climbing plants use small root-like structures called holdfasts or aerial roots to attach themselves as they grow upwards. Providing a pole, trellis, or other structure gives them something secure to grasp.
This helps keep the plant lifted up in the correct growth pattern and prevents sparse lanky stems. Proper support encourages fuller more compact growth over time.
Types of Structures for Indoor Climbing Plants
There are many options when it comes to structures and systems to support vining houseplant growth. Consider the size of your plant, container shape, and growth rate when choosing which option to use.
Plant Stakes
Single wooden or metal stakes are quick and inexpensive support options. Slide the stake into the soil next to the plant stem. Use plant ties to gently attach the main vines to the stake as they grow.
Trellis
Free-standing lattice trellises offer flexibility and can be adjusted as needed. Place a trellis behind or beside the plant and use soft ties to train stems through the open squares.
Moss Poles
Moss poles are excellent for plants that cling with aerial roots like monstera. The soft moss allows roots to easily attach as they climb upwards. Situate the pole behind the plant.
Wall-mounted Structures
Wall mounted trellises or hooks allow climbing plants to be grown vertically on a wall for a living art piece. Use Command hooks for lightweight vines.
Cages
Decorative cages made of metal or wood circles surround the plant and provide support on all sides as the vines weave through the openings.
Arches and Obelisks
Freestanding crossing structures and obelisks give height and dimension. Position larger structures like arches behind plants and gently tie stems to gradually fill in the form.
Setting Up Structures for Indoor Climbing Plants
Picking the right support is the first step, but it also needs to be used correctly for best results. Follow these tips when setting up structures for houseplant vines:
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Place poles and stakes farther back in the container, around 1/3 of the distance from the edge. Avoid crowding the center.
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For mature rootbound plants, carefully remove from the pot and place support directly in the soil before repotting the plant around it.
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Insert stakes at least 2-3 inches deep into the soil for stability. Consider using clear rulers or chopsticks in the bottom for extra support if needed.
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Position trellises, cages, and other freestanding structures behind or beside the plant. Make sure it does not block light from reaching the plant.
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Gradually tie vines to the support structure as they grow using soft plant ties, twist ties, or Velcro plant tape. Do not tightly bind all stems at once.
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Use tall supports and extend them upwards over time. Climbing plants can quickly outgrow short structures.
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For wall mounted trellises, use sturdy hardware and check for hidden pipes or wires first. Use heavy duty hooks rated for at least 15 pounds.
Caring for Supported Climbing Plants
Once your climbing houseplant has proper support, a little extra care will keep it growing upwards in tip-top shape:
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Fertilize regularly in the spring and summer to promote new growth. Use a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength.
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Prune back any wayward stems that fail to climb the support. This helps train the plant where to grow.
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Dust leaves periodically to allow light to reach all parts of the plant.
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Slow down watering in the winter when growth naturally slows. Test soil before watering to prevent oversaturation.
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Rotate or prune plants as needed to prevent excessive one-sided growth facing the light source.
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As stems reach the top of supports, either trim them back or add extensions to allow continued vertical growth.
Troubleshooting Climbing Plants with Supports
Here are some common problems and solutions for supported climbing houseplants:
Problem: Stems falling off or not climbing support
Solution: The support may be too small or crowded. Check ties for constricting stems. Try a larger stake or trellis relocated farther from the center of the pot.
Problem: Sparse leggy growth with few leaves
Solution: Increase light exposure. Prune leggy stems back to nodes and fertilize to encourage bushier regrowth.
Problem: Wilting or yellowing leaves
Solution: Evaluate watering habits and draining issues. Root rot can cause decline. May need repotting into fresh soil.
Problem: Infestation of pests like mealybugs or spider mites
Solution: Isolate and treat plant away from other plants. Wipe leaves and stems with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
Decorating with Climbing Plants
The vertical growth of climbing plants trained on supports makes for a gorgeous decorative statement. Here are some ideas to showcase vining houseplants:
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Hang macramé plant hangers or wall-mounted trellises to display trailing philodendrons and pothos.
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Place a monstera next to a moss pole for a jungle look. Let it climb floor to ceiling.
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Twist pothos or heartleaf philodendron around a decorative cage for a burst of greenery.
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Allow rhaphidophora tetrasperma to climb up crossed bamboo sticks for an oriental style.
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Use climbing plants as living curtains. Train Bowiea volubilis vine stems across tension rods or around hooks.
Let your imagination run wild when pairing vining plants with structures and supports! There are so many possibilities to create living plant art.
Final Thoughts on Supporting Climbing Plants
Providing a sturdy support structure improves the growth and appearance of climbing houseplants. Pick systems that match the plant size and growth habits.
Set up stakes, trellises, and poles properly to avoid crowding or constricting the stems. Carefully tie vines in place as they develop to train upward growth.
With the right support, climbing indoor plants will thrive. Just be sure to continue with proper care like fertilizing, pruning, and pest prevention. The vertical greenery makes a stunning addition to any indoor space!
How To Support Climbing Houseplants Indoors
Picking a vining plant support will depend on the type of vine you are growing because they need different kinds of support. Below are a few examples that can be used as a guide. For round arch type supports, the following plants work well:
For trellises or spindles, you can plant:
You can use wire to lightly tie up the plant stems if you plant them on moss poles or stakes. These plants work best:
Extendable wood plank for houseplants | Treleaf trellis and plank
How to keep climbing plants indoors?
How to keep climbing plants indoors (and help them grow faster). Climbing houseplants, or vining plants, are fit for any level of plant parent. If you’re in the market to add a climbing plant to your home, coordinating the type of plant with the space you’d like it to take up is a great place to start.
What are the best climbing houseplants?
Complimenting all types of decors, these Best Climbing Houseplants are also easy to grow in low light and thrive all year round! 1. Blushing Philodendron 2. Arrowhead Plant 3. Kangaroo Vine 4. Rex Begonia Vine 5. Wax Ivy 6. Jasmine 7. Swiss Cheese Plant 8. Climbing Aloe 9. Creeping Fig 10. Monstera Peru 11. Cupid Peperomia 12. Wax Plant 1.
Do climbing plants need support?
She is an avid gardener with a passion for community, and is a recipient of the Master Gardeners of Ohio Lifetime Achievement Award. Climbing plants make lovely additions to the home, but they all need some type of plant support to keep them looking and behaving at their best.
What are the best climbing plants for indoors?
To keep your plant looking lush and help it grow faster, be sure to give it enough sunlight. Fertilizers can also promote growth. Trimming your plant back from time to time—Uyema recommends about twice a year—will encourage new leaves, too. The best climbing plants for indoors. 1. String of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii)
