The houseplant commonly known as the Swiss Cheese Plant, Monstera deliciosa, is a tropical epiphyte originating from Central American rainforests. In its native environment, the plant grows as a vine, anchoring itself to large tree trunks to climb toward brighter light. Providing vertical support indoors, often through trellising with a moss pole, mimics this natural climbing habit. This support is beneficial for healthy, mature growth and allows the plant to continue its natural developmental trajectory within a container.
Why Support is Necessary
Supporting a Monstera directly influences the plant’s morphology and vigor, moving beyond simple aesthetics. As the plant matures, it produces thick aerial roots from its stem nodes. These roots provide mechanical stability and absorb environmental moisture. When aerial roots latch onto a moss pole, they absorb additional moisture and nutrients, enhancing the plant’s overall health and reducing strain on the subterranean root system.
When a Monstera climbs vertically on a moist surface, internal signals encourage the production of larger foliage and shorter spacing between nodes. This upward growth also triggers the development of fenestrations—the characteristic splits and holes in the leaves—which indicate a mature plant. Providing a climbing surface allows the plant to follow the natural instinct that stimulates this desirable mature leaf growth.
Choosing and Preparing the Support Structure
The moss pole is the optimal choice because it closely replicates the rough, moisture-retaining bark of a rainforest tree. Sphagnum moss offers an ideal medium for the aerial roots to penetrate and anchor themselves, unlike simple wooden stakes or metal trellises. Coir or coconut fiber poles are widely available but are less effective, as aerial roots struggle to fully embed into the drier, coarser texture.
Before installation, the support must be appropriately sized for the plant’s current height, ensuring at least the top two-thirds of the pole is covered in moss. A new, dry moss pole should be thoroughly soaked in water for several minutes to ensure the material is completely hydrated. This preparation is important because a dry pole will wick moisture away from the plant and will not encourage aerial roots to attach. The proper size pole should allow for about a year’s worth of vertical growth before needing an extension.
Step-by-Step Installation Process
Inserting the Pole
The physical installation of the moss pole is ideally performed during the spring repotting process, as this minimizes damage to the underground root system. If repotting is not required, insert the pole by gently loosening the soil at the back edge of the pot, carefully avoiding the main root ball. Push the bare stake portion at the base of the pole firmly into the soil until the structure is stable and securely anchored.
Aligning the Stem
Once the pole is secure, adjust the plant’s orientation so the back of the main stem is flush against the moss surface. The “back” is the side of the stem from which the aerial roots emerge, while the “front” is where the leaves originate. This alignment directs the plant’s natural climbing inclination toward the support structure, maximizing the chance of root attachment.
Securing the Plant
The main stem must be secured to the pole using soft, non-abrasive materials, such as Velcro plant ties, garden twine, or soft cotton strips. Place ties at the stem nodes, directly above the emerging aerial roots, to hold the plant firmly in place. Secure only the main stem and not the leaf petioles (the stalks connecting the leaf blade to the stem), as restricting the petioles impedes the leaf’s ability to move and photosynthesize.
Ongoing Care and Maintenance
Maintaining Moisture
Successful trellising requires consistent maintenance to ensure the moss pole remains a viable surface for root attachment. Keep the moss pole consistently moist by regularly misting or pouring water directly down the pole. If the moss is allowed to dry out, the aerial roots will hesitate to penetrate the surface and will not effectively absorb supplemental moisture.
Extending the Support
As the Monstera grows, secure new stems emerging from the top of the pole to the structure to maintain verticality. When the plant reaches the top, the pole must be extended by attaching a new segment, typically by sliding an interlocking pole over the existing one. Extend the support before the newest growth node grows past the top, as allowing the stem to trail can cause the plant to revert to producing smaller, less fenestrated leaves.
Managing Aerial Roots
Any aerial roots that grow away from the pole can be gently tucked back toward the moist moss or guided down into the soil. Guiding these roots into the soil allows them to function as additional feeder roots, enhancing the plant’s overall nutrient uptake. The goal is to integrate all new growth and aerial roots into the system, reinforcing stability and maximizing access to resources for continued large leaf production.