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The Monstera, also known as window leaf, is a popular houseplant in this country. Over time, it can reach enormous sizes. For good growth, the Monstera needs a stable climbing aid.

In a nutshell

  • Window leaf forms aerial roots
  • responsible for water and nutrient uptake
  • Aerial roots need a support stick or trellis
  • Moss pole good climbing aid for Monstera
  • Firm anchoring of the climbing aids necessary

aerial roots for climbing

In its homeland in the tropical rainforests of South and Central America, the window leaf climbs up the branches and trunks of large trees, always towards the light. The plant clings to it with its strong aerial roots. In addition, these roots also serve to absorb moisture and nutrients from the environment. When kept indoors, a climbing frame or support pole is essential for good growth of the arum plant. When choosing, it is important to ensure that the aerial roots also get a corresponding hold. The surface of the climbing aids should always be rough. With smooth surfaces, the use of coconut mats can help:

  • Coir mats available from garden retailers
  • easy to cut to appropriate sizes
  • use it to wrap smooth support rods etc. if necessary
Cryptosporella, Monstera deliciosa 4, crop from Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0

Notice: The aerial roots hang down from the trunk. You can easily convert them into earth roots. Just divert them into a filled glass of water.

Climbing aid for Monstera

Trellises and support rods made of a wide variety of materials are available from specialist retailers. Climbing aids, to which the monstera can be easily attached, not only serve to form the plant, but at the same time the load is taken off the shoots and the window leaf can concentrate all its energy on growing. In addition, the plant is held firmly in its position and tipping over is prevented. Furthermore, the aeration of the shoots is improved and the risk of fungal infestation is reduced. The following climbing aids have proven themselves for the Monstera.

Bamboo support frame

Plant sticks made of bamboo are very popular as support sticks for indoor plants, including for the Monstera. They can be used individually or in groups.

  • Aerial roots can adhere well
  • available in different lengths and strengths
  • easy to use
  • just stick it in the ground

Notice: Alternatively, support rods made of plastic or metal can also be used. However, these should be covered with thin coconut mats as described above.

coconut sticks

The use of coconut sticks will not only please the window leaf, but they are also very decorative. This is the natural material coconut fiber. It's a very soft material. The support rods can either consist entirely of coconut fibers or they can be wooden rods covered with coconut fibers.

  • Diameter 5cm
  • available in different lengths
  • upper end open
  • this means that it can be extended by attaching several extensions
  • lower part made of water-resistant material
  • thus no rotting in the ground possible
  • aerial roots allow Monstera to attach themselves

moss sticks

A very popular climbing aid for the Monstera and other climbing indoor plants is the moss stick. Either the rod is wrapped in moist moss or moss is in a wire mesh tube. It is important that the moss forms a continuous column and can absorb moisture from the soil. A moss stick can be extended to a height of two meters using attachments.

Moss sticks are suitable for many climbing indoor plants. Among other things, the philodendron.

Notice: By additionally spraying the moss stick, the humidity can be increased on the one hand and on the other hand the stick removes less moisture from the soil. Ultimately, this leaves more water for the roots.

trellis

Trellises are a good alternative, especially if the window leaf is to grow in height and width. They can be made of bamboo, plastic or metal. Ready-made grids are commercially available. But you can also easily build them yourself, for example:

  • Insert two plant stakes in a V-shape into the plant pot
  • fasten different crossbars in between
  • ideal placement of a trellis outside the pot
  • therefore good stability
  • better still screwing the grid to the wall

"tie up" monstera

Another way to give the Monstera a climbing aid is quite simple if the plant has been given a permanent place in the apartment. The tendrils are simply fixed to the wall. You can then use different binding materials to attach the Monstera. The procedure is as follows:

  • attach sturdy hooks to the wall
  • tie tight tendrils with a loop of twine/ribbon
  • Be careful not to crush tendrils
  • Yarn/tape must not cut in
  • ideally suited plant tie with Velcro
  • available rolled up
  • Also tree ties with foam coating can be used well
  • both materials reusable

branches from tree cuttings

Climbing aids in the form of real tree branches can also be very decorative. These sometimes occur when pruning trees. They should have a diameter of five to a maximum of ten centimeters. The tree bark should be unharmed. The aerial roots can then anchor themselves well in it.

Make moss sticks yourself

You can also easily make moss sticks yourself. There are two possibilities:

Version 1:

Wrap a stick or PVC pipe with wet peat moss and then secure with tie wire. Alternatively, you can also wrap the rod with jute or coconut fiber and then fix everything with jute twine.

You can easily make moss sticks for your houseplants yourself

Variant 2:

This is a bit more complex. You will need a wire mesh and side cutters for this. The procedure is then as follows:

  • Cut wire for a tube
  • Size according to plant and pot height
  • Diameter of the tube at least 5 cm
  • Roll wire into a tube
  • bend ends
  • fill moist peat moss in tube
  • press firmly with a stick

It is important that the moss forms a continuous column, only then can moisture be absorbed from the soil. If there is a gap within the column, the water transport is interrupted and the moss then dries out at the top of the rod.

For special attention

Plant supports and climbing aids always need a firm hold in the Monstera pot. The plants must not be pulled down. If the window leaf is to grow up the wall, several sturdy hooks and screws must ensure that the climbing aids are securely fastened. If support rods are used in the flower pot, it is necessary to press them firmly into the ground. The total length of the climbing aid is always important, so that the growing plant cannot become top-heavy and ultimately tip over.

frequently asked Questions

What size can a monstera usually reach?

The window leaf develops into a very large and sprawling houseplant. It can reach a height of 3 meters and even higher with good care. The heart-shaped leaves are up to 45 centimeters wide and sit on 30 centimeter long stems.

Is it possible to cut back the Monstera?

Yes, the window leaf is very tolerant of pruning. As a rule, all shoots that are too long can be cut back. For this purpose, sharp and disinfected scissors are used. This is attached a few millimeters above a leaf axil. The shoots can then be shortened by two thirds. These are then attached to the trellis again. The best time for pruning is from February to April. Don't forget gloves, escaping plant sap is poisonous.

Is it absolutely necessary to use a climbing aid for Monstera?

By nature, the window leaf always grows up towards the light. In order to give the shoots sufficient stability, a climbing aid for Monstera is appropriate. The direction of growth can also be determined or corrected in this way.

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Category:

Indoor plants