Guide for Supporting a Monstera Plant with a Moss Pole
Monstera plants, known for their distinctive Swiss cheese leaves, thrive in a tropical environment and require the right support to grow tall and healthy. Here's a guide on how to create a homemade moss pole for your Monstera and help it reach new heights.
Creating a Homemade Moss Pole
A moss pole can be easily made at home using bamboo or wood stakes and sphagnum moss, sheet moss, or coconut fiber sheet. This DIY moss pole mimics the spongy texture of the rainforest tree bark, providing a natural environment for climbing tropical plants like Monstera.
The Benefits of Using a Moss Pole
Moss poles offer several advantages for Monstera plants. They provide the vine with the support it needs as the plant's aerial roots penetrate the moss and attach there. Additionally, a moss pole offers the vine moisture and micronutrients, providing a second source of water for the Monstera.
Preparing Your Monstera for the Moss Pole
To attach the moss pole to a Monstera, first, insert the pole into the soil of the plant's pot, close to the vine. Secure the stem of the Monstera to the pole with gardener's twine. After a few weeks, water the plant as usual and spray the moss pole daily to keep it moist and soft for the Monstera's aerial roots to attach easily.
Repotting with a Moss Pole
When repotting a Monstera with a moss pole, carefully prepare a larger container and enlist the help of a second person to remove the plant from its old pot with soil intact. Set the plant into the new pot and fill in the edges with potting soil to tuck the plant into place, taking care not to remove or shift the moss pole since the Monstera's roots will be well-attached to it.
Caring for Your Monstera with a Moss Pole
Water the plant thoroughly after attaching it to the moss pole to help it establish. A moss pole helps the Monstera to grow tall and healthy and encourages larger leaves with more of the iconic Swiss-cheese cutouts.
Expert Advice
Bonnie L. Grant, a professional landscaper with a Certification in Urban Gardening and 15 years of experience in gardening and writing, emphasises the importance of edible landscaping. She advises that moss poles can be bought from specialty plant nurseries and are useful for any climbing tropical plant.
Where to Find a Moss Pole for Your Monstera
Specialized marketplaces for handmade moss poles for Monstera include local plant boutiques, craft fairs, and online platforms like Etsy or Instagram shops focusing on plant accessories. With these tips, you can help your Monstera thrive and enjoy its beautiful, unique foliage for years to come.
