The split leaf philodendron is also known as the Swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa). It is a beautiful climbing plant with big leaves that employs aerial roots as vertical supports. But unlike ivy, it doesn’t have suckers or clinging roots to help it pull itself up. It has a wide variety of different fauna to develop and support it in its natural habitat. However, as a houseplant, it requires a pole to assist train it upward. The use of a moss pole plant support improves the appearance of the tropical setting and hides the woody stake. Following is some information on creating and utilizing a support for cheese plants.
Does Monstera attempt any ascents?
Monsteras naturally cling to supports, but it takes time for their aerial roots to affix. Any nearby tree would be climbed by a Monstera in the wild, indicating that the support was present from the start. The moss pole is typically introduced by houseplant owners after their Monstera has already begun to form aerial roots, so it usually requires some deliberate effort to get the plant to attach.
You can’t just put a moss pole or trellis next to your Monstera and expect it to start climbing. Although this process takes far longer than most of us would like to wait, if the aerial roots can get to the support, they will attach in due time. Additionally, without some assistance, the plant might never discover the supports, therefore it is preferable to educate your Monstera to grow in the direction you like.
I’ll go over a few staking choices for Monsteras and how to add a moss pole before describing precisely how to direct this plant so it will cling to and finally climb the pole.
Monstera deliciosa: Does it require a trellis?
Plant in a pot with drainage holes and peaty, well-draining soil. You should give Monstera deliciosa moss-covered support sticks or a trellis because it likes to climb and cling to big trees in its natural habitat utilizing its aerial roots.
You can trim the aerial roots if they get troublesome, but it’s better to simply tuck them back into the pot. They aren’t the kind of roots that harm surfaces or walls. When you can feel the top third to a quarter of the soil is dry, water it. During the spring and summer growing seasons, standard liquid plant fertilizer can be administered roughly once a month.
Washing leaves with a cloth dipped in a solution of a drop of dishwashing detergent in a few cups of water can keep them clean and dust-free. The plant also enjoys routinely wetting its leaves, while it is not necessary.
Transplant Monstera deliciosa to a new pot that is a few inches larger in diameter and depth than the old one when it outgrows its current one (every two years or so).
Monstera is able to climb trees.
However, they may thrive in low-light situations and grow best in bright, indirect light. Monstera can also thrive in bright artificial light. However, leaves will grow more slowly and seldom in the absence of intense light. Low-light monstera may also have smaller leaves without the distinctive holes that indoor gardeners adore.
To avoid slowing growth, choose a location for your monstera display where temps don’t fall below the high 60s.
Avoid making substantial temperature changes in the area where your monstera plant grows because this might cause a lot of leaf drop while the plant gets used to its new environment.
Since monstera plants are epiphytic vines, they are climbers as opposed to trailers. Monstera should be planted in a container with a moss-filled pole, a piece of wood, or some type of trellis so that they can climb it with their stems, which can grow up to six feet or longer, rather than a hanging basket. The plant is supported by long, hanging aerial roots that the stems transmit down.
Are crawling plants like Monstera?
Because they are natural climbers, monstera plants will happily cling to a support if you give them one. If not, your Monstera plant can sag or climb the pot’s sides. While certain Monstera species form lovely trailing plants, most plant enthusiasts prefer to watch them climb.
Monsteras enjoy climbing, although they do require a sturdy object to hold onto. A rough surface, such as bark, moss, or jute, is required for aerial roots to attach the vines to the plant support.
Your Monstera plant’s vines may initially need assistance to begin going on their ascent. Most Monsteras strive for the stars on their own after they get going and start climbing.
How can I prevent Monstera from climbing?
Right now, Monstera Deliciosa is a stylish and well-liked houseplant, and it’s simple to understand why. The room’s broad, glossy, dark-green leaves have a tropical feel to it, and under the correct circumstances, they develop swiftly. In fact, this plant’s potential for growing too large for some homes is one of its only drawbacks. When a Monstera grows large, it often tips over or leans to one side.
How can a Monstera Deliciosa be kept from leaning over? Staking a Monstera Deliciosa with a support like a moss pole, trellis, or garden stakes is the best way to keep it growing upright. These natural climbers can be trained to climb these poles by being connected to them, and they will be supported as they do so.
Although a Monstera won’t be harmed by not growing upright, most people like them to be as straight and tall as possible for aesthetic and spatial reasons. To help you keep your Monstera looking the way you want it to, I’ll go into further depth below why why this occurs in the first place.
How can a Monstera be taught to scale a trellis?
Your monstera needs something to grow on and assistance maintaining vertical if you want it to grow upward. A moss pole is a practical choice that many plant caregivers employ. The moss acts as an organic support, while the aerial roots of the monstera will cling to the pole and aid in directing it upward. The moss pole should ideally be introduced early in the life cycle of your plant, before it has already established a growth route.
Use rope to secure the moss pole so your monstera will be more likely to use it. To prevent the twine from cutting into the stem if it leans, you should use several points. Over time, you’ll see that the moss pole is actually giving your plant a secure base to cling to and climb on its own rather than actually supporting it. After you’ve taught the plant to use it, nature will take control, and the plant will start to grow upward.
Several suppliers provide moss poles, but some plant parents choose to manufacture their own so they may design the aesthetic they want to go with their plant. Since the actual pole is typically constructed of wood, metal, or PVC pipe, you can choose the material that best complements your decor. A moss pole can figuratively point your plant in the proper direction, whether you purchase one or construct it yourself.
Do I need to plant a pole in my Monstera?
In their natural habitat, epiphytic climbing plants climb trees and larger plants using their aerial roots. As they mature, these plants climb towards the sun since they frequently grow in the forest understory. As the plant ascends, its aerial roots support its growth by drawing water and nutrients from the detritus around it. Moss poles offer houseplant owners a chance to replicate the natural habitat of their climbing houseplants when grown indoors as houseplants. The plant’s aerial roots, in particular, can take up water and micronutrients just like they would in their native habitat.
For indoor plants, moss poles are not necessarily necessary; in fact, many climbing plants can thrive without them. However, giving climbing plants a support, like a moss pole, will cause them to produce bigger, stronger leaves and more vigorously than they would without.
How is a Monstera trellised?
Trellises come in a wide range of sizes, forms, and materials and are popular choices for both indoor and outdoor climbing plants. There are trellises made of metal, wood, and even plastic. They come in various designs, including the conventional fan shape and even triangles that resemble a three-legged stool without the seat. You can create your own as well!
However, you can train an older plant and teach an old monstera new tricks! It’s ideal to put these when the plant is young and then train your monstera to climb it! Just a bit more effort is required.
Simply connect the vines and stems to the poles with soft string or even twist ties to train your monstera to climb the trellis. You should employ enough bonds to prevent your monstera from relying too heavily on any one point. This will stop the ties from slicing into the stems and vines of your plant.
Repotting with supports
Use of indoor plant supports with monstera plants has one major drawback: they might be a little tricky to repot, especially if your plant and supports are substantial.
Option 1 is not recommended if your plant is climbing the support on its own and is not fastened to the trellis or moss pole using ties. While the plant is still tied to the trellis, you’ll need to repot it, but fortunately, this isn’t too difficult if you have someone to assist you.
We wrote a piece with advice on how to repot a plant that is climbing a moss pole. Click here to see that!
You may easily untie the ties, remove the support, and repot the plant without it if your plant isn’t climbing the trellis or pole on its own and you can do so without damaging any aerial roots. To attach your monstera to your pole or trellis, you will need to replant the support and do so after that.
Although we don’t like this approach, it is a possibility if you don’t have access to assistance or if your plant isn’t yet capable of climbing on its own.
Nourish Your Monstera
Repotting your monstera every year or two and providing it with supports can help it develop tall, voluminous leaves. But no amount of supports or repotting will help if you aren’t feeding your plant properly!
Because it’s difficult to locate specialized monstera fertilizer that’s simple to apply, I designed Monstera Plant Food to assist my monsteras grow those enormous, gorgeous, fenestrated leaves we all love. You don’t need to keep track of a fertilizing schedule because Monstera Plant Food is specifically created for all varieties of monstera plants and is gentle enough to use with each watering. (This indicates that your plant will receive fertilizer!)
Mini Monsteras are climbers.
The little monstera (Rhaphidophora tetrasperma), so named for its striking resemblance to the majestic Monstera deliciosa, is actually not a monstera but a member of the separate genus Rhaphidophora. Rhaphidophora plants are distantly related to those in the Monstera genus since they both come from tropical parts of Africa and Asia and are members of the Araceae family. This genus has about 100 different species. Like its Monstera relatives, the mini monstera thrives in indoor environments and makes a great houseplant.
As their common name suggests, this unusual fenestrated plant is an excellent choice if you’re trying to expand your collection of little vining plants. The mini monstera typically reaches a height of 6 to 8 feet indoors, with leaves that are 6 to 8 inches long. As a climbing plant in its natural habitat, the tiny monstera will flourish if given a support to climb on inside, like a moss pole or trellis.
A Monstera deliciosa can grow to what size?
Monsteras can grow to enormous heights in their natural tropical habitat because to aerial roots. Aerial roots, which anchor plants to trees, buildings, and other above-ground surfaces instead of the plant’s normal roots, allow the plant to climb.
Despite not growing to jungle heights in your home, monsteras still develop in the same manner. Create a moss pole to sustain the ambitions of your monstera. Your monstera’s aerial roots will develop into the moss and anchor it as it soars.
With the proper care and support, Monstera deliciosa are long-lived plants that may reach heights of 10 to 15 feet indoors, spread out over an area of 8 feet, and have leaves that are at least 18 inches broad.
1 Indoors, variegated monstera rarely grow to that large and develop considerably more slowly.
Expect the leaf splits and holes to change considerably as your monstera gets older. Leaf holes can develop into pronounced split leaves depending on the plant’s kind and growing environment. Proper lighting levels are particularly crucial. Splits and holes are inhibited by low light. 3
How can I hasten the growth of Monstera deliciosa?
If you use each of these care suggestions separately, your Monstera will grow more quickly; however, if you use them all at once, it will grow so quickly that you will be living in a jungle in a matter of weeks.
You can make Monstera grow faster by giving them more light
For your monstera to produce energy and grow, it needs light. More light is beneficial in that regard.
But as you are surely aware, the sun burns you because it is a really hot substance. Since I reside in the UK and my Monstera leaves were in an east-facing window, I’ve never had a burning issue.
The optimum window for growth is one that faces south or west and has either textured glass or a sheer curtain.
I prefer east-facing rooms and the odd afternoon sunbath outside, although such are not for the timid because they can attract bugs.
The white parts of a variegated Monstera are more vulnerable to burning, thus mine is located in a west-facing room but a few feet away from the window. I often get anxious about it, yet I still adore it.
Grow lights can significantly accelerate development and reduce the risk of burning your variegated Monstera.
This MarsHydro light is amazing.
It significantly accelerates plant growth, however since it’s a professional grow light, hanging it from the ceiling can be a hassle if you don’t want to install a hook. My current setup is as follows:
Naturally, my Monsteras are not underneath it since I keep them in a fish tank (not submerged). like you do.
Grow lights don’t just provide light; they also generate some warmth, which can hasten growth and enable year-round growth.
Light
Mini monsteras enjoy bright, indirect sunshine just like the majority of tropical plants, including monsteras. This indicates not directly in the sun’s beams, but next to or in a very bright window. Typically, an east-facing window is the ideal.
Water
When the top two inches of soil are dry, add water to the soil until it begins to drip out the bottom of the pot since mini monsteras prefer a modest amount of water. then right away empty the drainage pan.
It’s crucial to avoid overwatering because it can promote root rot. Repotting and our Root Rot Treatment can cure this disease, but if you don’t catch it in time, it can kill a plant.
Never let the soil get completely dry, on the opposite end of the watering range, or you’ll have a dried-out, perhaps dead micro monstera on your hands!
Soil and Potting
To prevent your mini monstera’s roots from sitting in water (hello, root rot! ), choose a soil and container that drain properly.
Consider adding some orchid bark to your indoor potting mix and using a plastic or ceramic container with one or more drainage holes.
Fertilizer
In the spring and summer, Rhaphidophora tetrasperma grows quickly, so it’s crucial to fertilize it many times per month with liquid fertilizer mixed in with its water.
Because I can use Indoor Plant Food for ALL of my indoor plants, even micro monsteras, I use it every week in my watering can. It removes all of the uncertainty about fertilizing schedules because it is intended to be applied with each watering. There’s no easier way to put it than that!
Climbing
To give the aerial roots of mini monsteras something to hold onto when climbing, place a moss pole or trellis in or close to the container. A small or tall moss pole can be bought, or you can even create your own.
Temperature and Humidity
These plants perform well in conditions resembling those of their native environments in Thailand and Malaysia, however they are a little more adaptable to temperature and humidity than monstera deliciosa.
The ideal temperatures for mini monsteras are between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit (aka average room temperatures). They are able to handle typical indoor humidity levels, but they value the added moisture from a humidifier or pebble tray.
(To set up a pebble tray, just add water and pebbles to a shallow tray, then place your potted plant on top so that the roots and soil are not in contact with the water.)
A Fun New Plant for Monstera Lovers
Try the small monstera if you enjoy other monstera variations! It’s the ideal addition to your collection and is becoming accessible (and inexpensive). They are available online and in certain local nurseries.