Monstera plants, often called Swiss cheese plants, are popular houseplants admired for their distinctive, fenestrated foliage. Their large, glossy green leaves can grow impressively indoors. In their native habitats, these tropical plants exhibit a climbing nature, reaching for light in dense forest canopies.
Understanding Monstera’s Growth Habit
Monstera plants are natural climbers in their native Central and South American rainforests. They are epiphytic, growing on other plants for support rather than rooting directly in the soil. As they ascend, Monstera develop aerial roots that cling to surfaces, allowing the plant to anchor itself and reach greater heights. This natural climbing behavior makes providing support in a home environment beneficial.
Mimicking this support encourages healthier growth, promoting larger leaves and characteristic fenestrations. Without support, Monstera plants sprawl or grow leggy, with smaller leaves and reduced fenestrations. Providing a structure for the plant to climb allows it to mature, leading to robust stems and a vigorous plant. This support helps distribute its weight, preventing stems from breaking and maintaining an upright form.
Choosing the Right Support Structure
Choosing a support structure for your Monstera depends on the plant’s size, growth stage, and aesthetic preferences. Moss poles, often made from coir or sphagnum moss, are a popular choice. These poles provide a textured surface that mimics tree bark, encouraging aerial roots to attach and grow into the pole’s moist medium. Moss poles promote larger leaves and fenestrations, as the plant can draw moisture and nutrients directly from a damp pole.
Trellises offer a framework for the plant to climb and spread. They come in various materials like wood, bamboo, or metal, complementing indoor decor. While trellises provide structural support, they may not offer the same humidity benefits as a moss pole, important for aerial root attachment.
Simple plant stakes, typically bamboo or coated metal, suit younger or smaller Monstera. Stakes are less conspicuous and offer basic stability, though they may need upgrading as the plant grows. Choose a support tall enough for future growth and sturdy enough to prevent toppling.
Installing and Training Your Monstera
The best time to introduce support to a Monstera is when the plant is young, or when it begins to show signs of leaning or sprawling. Adding support early helps establish an upright growth habit, simplifying training. When inserting the support structure into the pot, push it deep into the soil near the main stem, taking care to avoid damaging the root ball. Positioning the support ensures stability as the plant grows and adds weight.
Once supported, gently guide the Monstera’s main stem and aerial roots towards it. Use soft plant ties, horticultural clips, or nylon strips to loosely secure the stem. Avoid tying too tightly, as this can restrict growth or damage the stem.
Encourage aerial roots to attach to the support, particularly with moist moss poles. Regularly check and adjust ties as the stem thickens to prevent girdling. Consistent training helps the Monstera establish its upward trajectory, leading to a compact and appealing plant.
Ongoing Care for Supported Monstera
Maintaining a supported Monstera involves routine practices for continued health and upright growth. If using a moss pole, regularly misting or wetting the pole helps maintain humidity around the aerial roots, encouraging them to anchor. This practice also contributes to higher humidity levels, which Monstera plants appreciate. As the plant grows taller, extend the support structure.
Many moss poles are extendable, allowing additional sections as the plant gains height. Pruning manages the plant’s shape and promotes fuller growth. Trim unruly stems or leaves to maintain form and encourage new growth closer to the main stem. Periodically inspect the ties, loosening or replacing them as needed to prevent constriction of the growing stems.