Monstera plants are popular for their large, distinctive foliage. These tropical perennials have a natural vining growth habit, extending their stems and leaves as they mature. In their native rainforests, Monsteras are natural climbers, using aerial roots to ascend tree trunks. Providing support benefits their development as houseplants.
Why Train Your Monstera
Training a Monstera offers several advantages for both the plant’s well-being and its appearance. Providing structural support prevents the plant from sprawling outwards, which can lead to unruly growth and potential stem damage. Upright growth encourages the development of larger, more mature leaves with enhanced fenestrations, the characteristic splits and holes. Supporting the plant allows for better light exposure to all parts of the foliage, promoting healthier growth overall. Guiding its vertical development also significantly enhances the plant’s aesthetic appeal, creating a more organized display.
Preparing for Training
The ideal time to begin training a Monstera is when it is relatively young or when it starts to show signs of its vining habit, such as stems growing horizontally or becoming top-heavy. Before starting, gather the necessary materials. Primary support structures include moss poles and stakes. Moss poles, often made from sphagnum moss or coco coir, mimic a tree trunk and encourage aerial roots to attach, potentially leading to larger leaves. Stakes, such as bamboo or wooden dowels, provide simpler physical support. Soft plant ties, twine, or plant clips are essential for securing the stems to the chosen support without causing damage.
Step-by-Step Training Your Monstera
Begin by assessing your Monstera. If it is overgrown or has yellowed leaves, a light pruning can direct the plant’s energy towards new growth. If repotting is needed, this is an excellent opportunity to insert the support structure. Place the chosen support, such as a moss pole or stake, deep into the pot’s soil, ensuring it is stable and positioned slightly behind the main stem of the plant.
Gently guide the main stem or stems of the Monstera towards the support. Identify the “back” of the plant, which is typically where the aerial roots emerge, and align this side with the support. Using soft plant ties, loosely secure the stem to the support, making sure not to cinch too tightly, as this can damage the plant as it grows. The ties should hold the stem close to the support while allowing for some movement.
For moss poles, encourage aerial roots to grow into the moist moss. If aerial roots are long, they can be gently guided towards the pole or even tucked into the soil to promote further rooting. Consistent moisture on the moss pole can help persuade these roots to attach.
Ongoing Care for a Trained Monstera
As your Monstera continues to grow, periodic adjustments to the ties will be necessary to ensure they remain supportive without constricting the expanding stems. Check the tightness of the ties regularly, loosening them if they appear to be digging into the plant. When the plant outgrows its current support, moss poles can often be extended by stacking additional sections on top. For stakes, a taller replacement may be needed, or multiple stakes can be used to provide broader support.
Maintaining adequate moisture in moss poles is important, as aerial roots will seek out and attach to a consistently moist surface. Misting the moss pole a few times a week can help keep it hydrated, especially in drier environments. Watering and fertilizing routines remain similar to untrained Monsteras, with consistent watering when the top few inches of soil are dry and regular fertilization during the growing season.
Common Training Issues and Tips
One common challenge is a Monstera leaning away from its support, which often indicates that the plant is not securely attached or that the support itself is unstable. Re-securing the stem firmly and ensuring the support is deeply anchored can correct this. Aerial roots may not readily attach to the support, especially if the pole is dry or not made of a material like moss or coir. Regularly misting the pole or ensuring it remains moist can encourage attachment.
If the plant quickly outgrows its support, this may necessitate extending the moss pole, adding a taller stake, or even pruning back some of the older, less desirable growth to manage size. Remember to only tie the main stem to the support, allowing leaf stems (petioles) to move freely.