Why stake your Monstera?
So should you stake your Monstera plant? More established Monstera will benefit from some support to cling to, which is where moss poles come in. Swiss cheese plants are semi-epiphytes, which means they can live both independently and on the surface of other plants. And their aerial roots can be trained, or used to climb.
A moss pole is a stake made of coconut fiber, otherwise known as ‘coir’. This is wrapped around a wooden pole that you can insert into the soil. The aerial roots of a Monstera can attach to the coconut fiber, which helps your Swiss Cheese plant to grow higher. Some moss poles are extendable. This is done by leaving the top portion of the moss pole hollow, so you can layer them by placing another moss pole inside.
You can make your own moss pole using sphagnum moss and a thick pole. You can find sphagnum moss in nurseries, or you can buy it online.
How to stake your Monstera
- Set the moss pole or stake into the centre of the container next to the plant and firm in place with the compost. Firm the potting mix in place, including any aerial roots that are within the soil line too.
- Use plant ties or gardeners’ twine to attach the stem of the Swiss cheese plant to the moss pole.
- Once the plant and pole are in place, water them in well to help establish. Let them settle for a week or two and then commence feeding and watering as normal.
- Water the moss pole by spraying it daily. This will assist the aerial roots with attaching to it.
- You may want to make your stake look a little more appealing. If you have some spare fabric lying around, you can wrap it around your stake before you tie your Monstera to it. This only works if using a stake rather than a moss pole.
- After a while, the Monstera’s aerial roots will no longer need the twine to hold on to the moss pole. They will be able to hold on to the stake by themselves, and you can remove the twine.
For my complete guide on caring for and maintaining your Monstera deliciosa ‘Swiss Cheese Plant’, see some of my other blogs below!
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David Domoney is a Chartered Horticulturalist, Broadcaster, and Author. David has worked with a number of the UK’s leading garden retailers as a plant buyer and strategic consultant. With more than 30 years experience, in horticulture, David is as passionate about plants now as he was when he bought his first plant at a village fete.
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