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How Do I Get My Monstera To Climb? Step by Step guide

Monstera plants have become a very popular house plant over the last few years, with one of its attractions being its ability to provide a sizable jungle-esque interior in your own home. However, this can quickly turn into a problem, as Monsteras can soon become too big for your space.

Unlike other large houseplants that follow a tree-like upward growth pattern, Monsteras grow outward. But the good news is that Monsteras are built to climb, and training your Monstera to grow upwards can actually produce a healthier plant. 

Does monstera deliciosa climb? Yes monstera deliciosa are climbers, meaning that it uses aerial roots to attach itself to trees and other surfaces.

But how do you encourage Monsteras to climb? Although Monsteras can climb naturally, one of the best ways to get your Monstera to climb is to use some form of support. The best support structures are usually moss poles, coco coir poles, trellises and stakes.

However, you don’t have to exclusively use any of these, as Monsteras can adapt to all sorts of supports.

How to get monstera to climb?

Monstera plants have aerial roots that they use to attach themselves to surfaces. If you want your monstera to climb, there are a few things you can do to encourage it. First, provide it with something to cling to, such as a trellis or wire mesh.

You can also help it along by tying the vines loosely to the support using soft raffia or pieces of string. Once the vines start to grow, they will quickly begin to twine themselves around the support. With a little patience and care, you can soon enjoy a beautiful monstera climbing up your chosen support.

Does My Monstera Need Support?

How Do I Attach My Monstera to a Moss Pole?

When Monsteras are young, they usually grow vertically, but as they get older and heavier this causes the leaves to trail and the plant to grow sideways.

In the wild Monsteras exhibit epiphytic growth, which means they can attach themselves to trees and other vertical surfaces to climb.

However, domesticated Monsteras can’t behave the same way, so if you’re looking to train your Monstera to climb, there are some tools you’ll need to use. 

Moss Pole

Most poles are perhaps the most popular and common means of supporting your Monstera. Since a moss pole has a natural texture, it is easy for the aerial roots to latch on to the pole.

Their natural finishes are popular with houseplant owners, as they blend in with the plant and can provide excess moisture in between waterings.  

Coco Coir Pole

Coco coir poles are very similar to moss poles. They also feature a natural finish that can provide excess moisture – just be sure to mist the pole regularly to encourage climbing. In addition, coco coir poles can be stacked to accommodate an increasingly growing plant

Trellis

Trellises can also be an effective way to stake your Monstera, but be wary that even the most full and lush Monsteras can show the support stake.

Most trellises are made of either wood or metal, and can be found in different colours to accommodate your own preferences/interior design. 

When staking your Monstera, it’s important you consider the anticipated height of your plant. If you want your plant to grow to the ceiling height, a moss pole won’t be a suitable long term solution.

A good alternative is bamboo stakes, which are rather inexpensive and easy to get hold of. Just keep in mind that slimmer bamboo stakes won’t be able to support the weight of a heavy Monstera. 

It is also worth noting that if you’re using moss or coco coir poles, the aerial roots will bind to the pole quickly, but wooden/metal poles will take longer.

How Do I Attach My Monstera to a Moss Pole?

How Do I Get My Monstera To Climb

There are two points at which you want to anchor your Monstera stems to your moss pole. 

Firstly, you’ll want to anchor the larger heavier stems. You can do this by using garden ties, which will need to be applied with the right tension – you don’t want it too tight as it will damage the plant, but it needs to be firmly secured.

Secondly, you’ll want to anchor the aerial roots towards the moss pole. You can guide them in a couple of different ways. If the roots are long enough, you can wrap or drape them around the support structure.

Once again you can use garden ties to keep the roots bound to the support – any new roots that grow will naturally latch on to the support structure. 

When Should I Support My Monstera Climbing?

Although you don’t have to provide any support to grow a healthy Monstera, many people prefer their plants to grow in a tree-like fashion, rather than a trailing vine.

It can be difficult to know when to introduce support poles to your Monstera, but luckily there are some telltale signs as to when you should start supporting the plant. 

Sign 1: Aerial Roots Appear

When aerial roots appear, it’s a good sign that your plant is old enough and should be supported soon. As a Monstera ages, aerial roots emerge from the stems and dangle over the edge of the pot.

Some people dislike the look of aerial roots so they cut them, however, they’re a sign of a healthy Monstera. 

The purpose of aerial roots is to act as an anchor for the stem to attach itself to the support system, which encourages the plant to climb. If you’re using a moss pole, the aerial roots will also absorb moisture from the air and pole to keep the plant hydrated between waterings.

Sign 2: Bent/Arching Stems 

As Monstera matures, it produces larger, heavier leaves. Without support, these heavy leaves will cause the stems to start bending, and gravity will pull the plant down.

The Monstera will continue growing downwards, in a sort of vine-like notion. Heavier leaves can also cause the stems to snap, or topple the plant. To prevent this it’s worth staking your Monstera. 

Sign 3: New Growth Appears Horizontally

There’s nothing wrong with a Monstera that grows horizontally. However, people usually prefer to train their plant to grow vertically as it will take up less room and follow a tree-like growth. If you start to see your plant growing outwards, it will be time to add a stake to your plant.

Sign 4: You’re Repotting Your Monstera

This isn’t a sign directly from the plants, but it is best to start staking your Monstera when you’re repotting. This is because it can be tricky to get the roots and stems to attach to a pole in an already established pot.

When repotting you can reposition the roots to ensure that there will be vertical growth, and avoid damaging the roots when adding the pole to the soil.  

Monstera trellis vs Moss pole which is better?

Any gardener knows that vertical space is just as important as horizontal space when it comes to planting. Vertical structures like trellises and poles can provide support for climbing plants, create privacy screens, and even help to define outdoor spaces.

But what’s the best way to achieve vertical gardening? Monstera trellises are a popular choice, thanks to their durability and versatility. Moss poles, on the other hand, are known for being easier to care for. So, which is the right choice for your garden?

Monstera trellises are made from weather-resistant materials like wood or metal, making them a great option for larger gardens. They’re also easy to customize – you can add hooks or shelves to hold plants, or use them to create a dramatic focal point.

However, monstera trellises can be costly, and they require some assembly. Moss poles, on the other hand, are much simpler structures.

Usually made from bamboo or PVC piping, moss poles can be placed directly into the ground or potting soil. They’re also relatively inexpensive, and they don’t require any special tools or materials for assembly. So, if you’re looking for an easy way to add vertical interest to your garden, a moss pole may be the way to go.

Climbing Monstera Frequently Asked Questions

How to train monstera to climb?

Monstera can be trained to climb by attaching their stems to a support structure using plant ties or wire. The stems will naturally grow towards the light, so it is important to position the support in a location where the plant will receive bright, indirect light. Monstera can be quite heavy, so it is important to use a strong support that can hold their weight.

Once the plant has started to climb, it will need to be pruned regularly to encourage new growth and prevent the stems from becoming too long and leggy. With a little patience and care, monsteras can make stunning additions to any indoor space.

How to make monstera grow upwards?

To get a monstera to grow upwards, you’ll need to provide it with some support. You can do this by staking the plant or by training it to grow up a trellis. Make sure the tie is loose enough that the plant can still move slightly. Once the plant has started to grow up the support, you can remove the lower leaves.

This will help to give the plant more energy to put towards growing upwards. With a little patience and care, you can enjoy watching your climbing monstera plant reach new heights.

Why is monstera growing sideways?

One of the most common questions gardners receive is why monstera plants seem to grow sideways. While it may appear that the plant is simply leaning to one side, the truth is that monstera plants are actually capable of growing in all directions. The characteristic splits in the leaves are known as fenestrations, and they help the plant to maximize its exposure to sunlight.

The reason for this is that monsteras are native to the rainforests of Central and South America, where they need to compete for sunlight. By growing sideways or in any direction, they are able to reach out towards gaps in the canopy and maximize their exposure to sunlight. So, if you see your monstera growing sideways, it might be growing in the direction of the light.

How to keep monstera upright?

If you have a monstera that’s starting to droop, don’t worry – there are a few things you can do to help keep it upright. First, check to make sure the plant is getting enough light. Monsteras need bright, indirect light in order to thrive, so if it’s not getting enough light, it will start to lean towards the nearest source of light.

Second, make sure the plant is getting enough water. Over-watering can cause root rot, which can lead to a weakened plant that’s more likely to fall over.

However, under-watering can also cause problems – if the soil is too dry, the plant will start to wilt. Make sure you’re watering your monstera regularly and giving it a good soaking every week or two. Finally,Monsteras need support as they grow – otherwise, they’ll start to sag under their own weight.

If you see your plant starting to lean, you can prop it up with a stake or trellis. By following these tips, you can help keep your monstera healthy and upright for many years to come!