A “cheese pole” is a specialized apparatus designed to provide vertical support for climbing houseplants, especially Monstera species, often called “Swiss Cheese Plants.” This structure enables vining plants to grow upwards, mimicking their natural habit, and offers a surface for aerial roots to attach and thrive.
Understanding the Cheese Pole
More formally known as a moss or coir pole, a cheese pole encourages the upward growth of epiphytic and hemi-epiphytic plants. Many popular houseplants, such as Monstera deliciosa and Monstera adansonii, are natural climbers, using aerial roots to cling to surfaces. Indoors, these plants often lack support, leading to sprawling or stunted growth. A pole provides a stable, vertical surface, allowing plants to exhibit their natural climbing behavior. This support also helps plants produce larger, more mature foliage with characteristic fenestrations, or splits, that give the “Swiss cheese” appearance.
Types and Materials
Common Materials
Cheese poles are available in various forms, suiting different plant needs. Most are constructed from sphagnum moss or coco coir, wrapped around a central stake. Sphagnum moss poles retain water well, providing a moist environment that encourages aerial roots to penetrate and absorb moisture. Coco coir poles, made from coconut husk fibers, offer a stable, porous surface but dry faster than moss.
Other Options and Considerations
Some poles feature a plastic-backed design for improved water retention. Other options include simple wooden stakes or trellises, which offer support but do not provide a medium for aerial root attachment. The choice of material depends on factors like humidity levels and the plant’s climbing habits.
Practical Applications
Utilizing a cheese pole effectively involves proper installation and encouraging your plant’s aerial roots. Insert the pole firmly into the plant’s pot, close to the main stem without disturbing the root system. Pre-soaking moss or coir poles ensures adequate hydration. Gently guide the plant’s stems towards the pole, securing them with soft plant ties; this helps the plant establish contact and encourages aerial roots to attach. Regular misting or pouring water directly down the pole helps maintain moisture, inviting aerial roots to grow into it.
Care and Maintenance
Proper care of a cheese pole is essential for its long-term effectiveness. The primary maintenance task involves keeping the pole consistently moist to encourage aerial root absorption, which can be achieved by regular misting or slowly pouring water from the top of the pole. The frequency of moistening depends on environmental factors like humidity and temperature. As the plant grows taller, you may need to add extensions to the existing pole or transition to a larger support. If repotting, it is best to repot the plant and the pole together to avoid damaging established aerial roots.