Plant supports provide structures to help plants grow upright, guiding their development. They are useful for a wide range of plants, from sprawling varieties to those bearing heavy fruits or flowers. Supports transform a garden, promoting healthier plants and a more organized growing space.
Benefits of Using Plant Supports
Plant supports offer several advantages. They promote healthier growth by keeping plants off the ground, which significantly improves air circulation around the foliage. This improves air circulation, reducing humidity and fungal diseases. They prevent stems from breaking, especially during strong winds or heavy rain, ensuring structural integrity. For fruiting plants, supports increase yields and produce cleaner fruit by keeping them off the soil, which reduces rot and pests. Lifting plants maximizes sunlight exposure, benefiting photosynthesis and fruit ripening. They also enhance garden aesthetics by creating vertical interest and maintaining a tidier, more organized appearance. This optimizes space, particularly helpful in smaller gardens or for growing more plants in limited areas.
Different Types of Plant Supports
A variety of plant supports are available, each designed to suit different plant needs and growth habits. Understanding these types helps in making informed choices.
Stakes
Stakes are single, upright supports, made from bamboo, wood, or metal. Bamboo stakes are lightweight and eco-friendly; metal stakes offer greater durability and strength for heavier plants. They are versatile, used for individual plants needing targeted support, such as tall flowers like gladiolus or heavy-fruiting vegetables like peppers and indeterminate tomatoes.
Trellises
Trellises are grid-like or latticework structures that provide a framework for climbing plants to ascend. Available in wood, metal, or plastic, trellises can be flat panels, arches, or decorative obelisks. They are ideal for vining plants such as peas, beans, cucumbers, and some tomato varieties, enabling vertical growth and saving space.
Moss Poles or Coir Poles
Moss poles, made from a central support wrapped in sphagnum moss or coir, are designed for vining plants that produce aerial roots, like many aroids (e.g., Monstera, Pothos). These poles provide a surface for the plant’s roots to cling to and absorb moisture, mimicking humid environments. They encourage larger leaf development and stronger stems as plants climb and mature.
Plant Cages
Plant cages are cylindrical or conical structures that enclose a plant, offering all-around support. While often associated with tomatoes, they are effective for other bushy plants like peppers, eggplants, or peonies that tend to sprawl or become top-heavy. Cages contain the plant’s growth and prevent branches from breaking under the weight of fruit or flowers.
Hoops or Rings
Hoops or rings are circular supports designed to contain sprawling plants or those with multiple outward-flopping stems. These supports can be placed around the plant early in its growth, allowing the foliage to grow through the openings. They are useful for bushy perennials like peonies or delphiniums, providing discreet support hidden by the plant’s growth.
Natural Branches and Twigs
Natural branches and twigs can be repurposed as plant supports for a rustic or informal approach. These can be artfully arranged to create a teepee structure for climbing beans or simply inserted near individual stems for gentle support. This method is cost-effective and blends seamlessly into a natural garden setting.
Selecting the Right Support for Your Plants
Choosing the right plant support involves several factors related to the plant and your garden environment.
Growth habit is a primary consideration. Vining plants, which naturally climb, thrive on trellises or vertical strings. Upright plants that become top-heavy, like sunflowers or some lilies, benefit from single stakes or hoops. Sprawling plants, such as many pepper varieties or determinate tomatoes, do well with cages or multiple stakes offering broader support.
Mature size and weight also influence support choice. Taller, heavier plants, especially those with abundant fruit or large blooms, require sturdier, taller supports to prevent collapse.
Location is another factor. Indoor plants use smaller, more decorative supports; outdoor plants need weather-resistant materials. For container plants, supports should be proportionate to pot size and anchored securely.
Aesthetics are also a factor; some gardeners prefer supports that blend in, like natural bamboo, while others choose more decorative metal structures. Finally, consider material durability, especially for outdoor use. Metal and treated wood offer greater longevity than untreated wood or some plastics.
Installing and Maintaining Plant Supports
Proper installation and maintenance are crucial for effective, long-lasting plant supports.
Install supports when plants are young, ideally at planting time. This minimizes root disturbance and allows the plant to grow into the support naturally.
For stakes, push them firmly into the ground, deep enough for stable anchorage without damaging roots. When installing trellises, place them a few inches off the ground to prevent rot at the base, ensuring they are securely anchored to withstand wind.
When securing plants, use soft, flexible materials that will not cut into stems as the plant grows. Options include soft plant ties, fabric strips, or stretchy gardening tape. A figure-eight tie is useful, creating a cushion between the stem and the support. Avoid tying too tightly, as this can constrict growth and damage the plant.
As plants mature, regularly check and adjust ties to accommodate stem thickening. During the growing season, guide new growth onto the support structure to encourage proper climbing or upright development. For seasonal plants, supports can be removed at season’s end for cleaning and storage, extending their lifespan.