Monstera Adansonii, often recognized by its distinctive fenestrated or “Swiss cheese” leaves, is a popular houseplant due to its unique appearance and relatively easy care. This plant exhibits a natural vining habit, extending long stems that seek support in its native environment. Providing a climbing structure is highly beneficial for its development and overall well-being, allowing it to mimic its natural growth patterns.
Why Your Monstera Adansonii Needs a Climbing Pole
Monstera Adansonii is an epiphytic plant, meaning it grows on other plants or structures for support rather than in the soil. Its aerial roots naturally seek out surfaces to cling to as it ascends. When grown indoors without a climbing pole, the plant tends to trail or sprawl, which can result in smaller leaves and a less robust appearance.
A climbing pole encourages the Monstera Adansonii to grow vertically, mimicking its natural inclination. This vertical growth promotes the development of larger, more mature leaves with enhanced fenestrations, which are the characteristic holes and splits in the foliage. The aerial roots, which emerge from the plant’s nodes, can then anchor into the moist surface of the pole, providing additional stability and absorbing moisture and nutrients. Training the plant upwards leads to a healthier, more vigorous specimen and efficiently utilizes vertical space in indoor settings.
Choosing the Right Climbing Pole
Selecting the appropriate climbing pole for your Monstera Adansonii involves considering various types. Moss poles and coco coir poles are common choices. Moss poles, typically made from sphagnum moss wrapped around a central support, are excellent at retaining moisture, which encourages the plant’s aerial roots to grow into and attach to the pole. This moisture retention also helps to create a humid microclimate around the plant, which tropical plants appreciate.
Coco coir poles, made from coconut husk fibers, offer a sturdy and textured surface for aerial roots to grip. While they may not retain as much moisture as sphagnum moss, they are durable. Trellises, often made from wood or metal, offer a more open structure for the plant to weave through and can be a good aesthetic choice, though they may not provide the same moisture-retaining benefits for aerial root absorption. DIY options, such as wrapping sphagnum moss around a PVC pipe or stake, allow for customization. When choosing, consider the pole’s height, ensuring it is adequate for future growth, its stability in the pot, and how well it complements your plant’s needs and your home’s aesthetic.
Installing and Training Your Monstera Adansonii
Begin by selecting a pot that is adequately sized for your Monstera Adansonii and the chosen pole, typically one to two inches wider than the current pot if repotting. Position the pole firmly into the potting mix, ideally close to the main stem of the plant and slightly behind it, ensuring it is stable and upright. If the plant is already established, carefully insert the pole without damaging the root ball.
Once the pole is in place, gently guide the Monstera Adansonii’s stems against the pole. Secure the stems to the support using soft plant ties, clips, or twine. Tie the stems loosely to avoid constricting growth or damaging the plant tissue, but firmly enough to provide stability. Angle the plant’s stems so that any existing aerial roots or developing nodes can make contact with the pole’s surface, encouraging them to attach naturally.
Ongoing Care and Maintenance
For moss or coco coir poles, regular watering of the pole itself is beneficial. Sphagnum moss poles, in particular, should be kept consistently moist by misting them every few days, allowing the aerial roots to absorb water directly. Coco coir poles also benefit from misting or watering weekly, though they do not retain moisture as long as sphagnum moss.
As your Monstera Adansonii grows taller, you may need to extend the pole. Many commercial poles are stackable; secure an additional pole on top of the existing one. New growth should continue to be guided and re-secured to the pole with soft ties as it emerges. Light pruning can also be performed to maintain the plant’s shape, encourage denser growth along the pole, or manage its size. Regularly check the pole’s stability as the plant gains weight and height.