Randy Chandler
The Swiss cheese plant, also known as Monstera deliciosa, is a tropical vine that requires staking on a moss pole. In the wild, the plant uses aerial roots to climb up rainforest trees in Mexico and Central America. A moss pole provides the support the plant needs to grow tall and healthy, encouraging larger leaves with more of the iconic Swiss-cheese cutouts. The moss on the pole mimics the spongy texture of rainforest tree bark, which the aerial roots penetrate and attach to. You can buy a moss pole from specialty plant nurseries, or make your own using scrap wood, bamboo, PVC, or metal as your support, and sheet moss, coco fiber, or sphagnum moss as your surface.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Why use a moss pole? | To provide support for the plant's stems and leaves, to allow the plant to grow tall and healthy, and to encourage larger leaves. |
| What is a moss pole? | A pole covered in moss that mimics the texture of rainforest tree bark, providing a surface for the plant's aerial roots to attach to and draw moisture from. |
| What plants can use moss poles? | Commonly used with Monsteras (Swiss cheese plants), but also with Pothos, Hoyas, and Philodendrons. |
| What materials do I need? | A pole (made from bamboo, wood, PVC, or metal), moss (sheet moss, coco fiber, or sphagnum moss), and string or twine to attach the moss to the pole. |
| How do I make it? | Soak the moss in water, then wrap it around the pole, securing it with string or twine. Leave the bottom third of the pole bare, as this will be placed into the soil. |
| How do I use it with my plant? | Place the moss pole in the soil near the edge of the pot, then attach the plant's stems to the pole with soft plant ties, yarn, or cotton string. Mist the moss occasionally to keep the plant interested. |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right materials
For the pole, you can use scrap wood, bamboo, PVC, or metal. The height and thickness of the staking material will depend on the size of your plant. Shorter and thinner stakes are ideal for smaller plants, while larger and thicker stakes are better for supporting larger plants.
For the moss, you can use sheet moss, coco fiber, or sphagnum moss. Sheet moss and coco fiber are the easiest options since they come in sheets, so you just need to cut them to the desired size. Sphagnum moss, on the other hand, can be messier and more challenging to attach to the pole. Soak the sphagnum moss in water to make it easier to work with before wrapping it around the pole.
To attach the moss to the pole, you can use fishing line, twine, string, or mesh. Keep in mind that string and twine may break over time due to moisture and tension. If you want something more durable, consider using fishing line, which is strong and won't erode from water.
Additionally, you'll need something to secure the plant to the moss pole. Soft plant ties, yarn, cotton string, or elastic twine or rope can be used to gently but firmly attach the plant's stems to the pole. Avoid tying the stems too tightly to prevent damage to the plant.
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Preparing the moss
Next, you will need to prepare the moss. You can use Sphagnum moss, sheet moss, or coco fiber. If you are using sheet moss or coco fiber, wrap it around the pole and cut it to size. If you are using Sphagnum moss, place it in a container of water and allow it to soak for about 15 minutes. Remove the moss from the water and squeeze out the excess. The moss should be damp but not dripping wet.
Now, lay handfuls of moss on the pole and use one hand to hold it in place while you wrap string or twine around the pole to secure the moss. You can also use fishing line, which is strong and see-through, so it won't be visible on your moss pole. The goal is to have a thickness of about 1/2 inch to 1 inch of moss around the pole, leaving the bottom third of the stake bare as this will be placed into the soil.
Once the moss is secure, tie off the string and cut off any extra length. Trim any stray pieces of moss. You can now insert the unwrapped section of the stake into the soil, placing it slightly behind the plant and nestling it gently. Add some potting soil for extra support and press the soil gently at the base to stabilize the pole.
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Assembling the pole
Assembling a moss pole for your cheese plant is a simple DIY project that only requires a few supplies. Moss poles are most commonly used with Monstera deliciosa, Monstera adansonii, and Mini Monstera, but they can be used with a variety of climbing tropical plants. Here's a step-by-step guide to assembling your own moss pole:
Choose the Right Materials
You'll need a pole, moss, and something to attach the moss to the pole. For the pole, you can use scrap wood, bamboo, PVC, or metal. For the moss, Sphagnum or sheet moss is recommended. To attach the moss, you can use fishing line, twine, string, or mesh.
Prepare the Moss
Soak your moss in a container of water for about 15 minutes. Once it's soaked, remove it from the water and squeeze out the excess. The moss should be damp but not dripping wet. If you're using sheet moss or coco fiber, you can cut it to size and wrap it around the pole to mark how much you need.
Attach the Moss to the Pole
Start by tying a piece of string tightly around the top of the pole. Then, lay handfuls of moss on the pole and use one hand to hold it in place while you wrap the string diagonally downward. Continue this process until you have a thickness of about 1/2 to 1 inch of moss around the pole. Leave the bottom third of the pole bare, as this section will be placed into the soil. Once the moss is secure, tie off the string and cut any extra length.
Place the Pole in the Pot
Prepare your plant's pot by adding a layer of soil to anchor the pole. Place the moss pole near the edge of the pot and add more soil to stabilize it. Make sure the pole is upright and slightly behind the plant. Then, gently press the soil at the base of the pole to secure it.
Train the Plant
Introduce your cheese plant to its new moss pole. Attach the thicker stems to the pole, leaving the more slender stems free. You can use soft plant ties, yarn, or cotton string to secure the stems gently but firmly to the pole. Misting the moss will encourage the plant to grow aerial roots and climb the pole.
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Positioning the plant
Firstly, decide on the height of the moss pole based on the size of your plant and how fast it grows. If you have a fast-growing plant, choose a taller pole that allows ample space for growth. For smaller plants, shorter and thinner stakes are ideal, while larger plants will require a larger diameter and taller stake for better support.
Next, prepare the moss pole by soaking the sheet moss or coco fiber in water to make it pliable and easy to work with. If using sphagnum moss, place it in a container of water for about 15 minutes, then squeeze out the excess water. The moss should be damp but not dripping wet.
Now, it's time to assemble the moss pole. If using a pre-made moss pole, follow the manufacturer's instructions. If creating your own, wrap the damp moss around the pole, securing it with string, fishing line, or twine. Leave the bottom third of the stake bare, as this section will be inserted into the soil.
Once your moss pole is ready, it's time to position your cheese plant. Place the moss pole near the edge of the pot if repotting a single plant. If repotting multiple plants with one moss pole, place it in the centre. Anchor the moss pole by adding a layer of soil at the bottom and around the pole to stabilise it. Ensure the pole is upright and slightly behind the plant.
Finally, introduce your cheese plant to its new support. Attach the thicker, longer stems of the plant to the moss pole using soft plant ties, yarn, or cotton string. If the stems are long, secure them at multiple points along the moss pole. The more slender stems and leaves should be left free to fill in around the bottom. Over time, your cheese plant will attach itself to the moss pole using its aerial roots and continue growing upward.
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Encouraging growth
Moss poles are a necessity for the healthy and attractive growth of a cheese plant. They improve air circulation, make use of aerial roots, and put your plant in a more natural position. The moss retains moisture, is an easy surface for roots to grab, and mimics the natural environment of the trees these plants would be growing on in the wild.
To encourage a stem to attach to the moss pole, bring the stem up against the moistened moss and secure it gently but firmly with a piece of soft plant tie, yarn, or cotton string. If the stem is long, tie it to the pole in a couple of places to secure it. Repeat this step with any other large stems, then step back to make sure the overall shape of the plant is how you like it. Over time, your cheese plant will attach itself to the moss using its aerial roots and continue growing upward on its new support.
To encourage growth, mist the moss occasionally to keep your cheese plant interested in its new support – if the plant finds moisture in the moss, the roots will continue to grow into it. For its usual care, let the top inch or two of soil dry out a bit between waterings, make sure the container drains well, and place your plant where it gets plenty of bright, indirect light. If your plant leans in one direction as it searches for light, be sure to turn it occasionally to keep things even.
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Frequently asked questions
A moss pole is a support structure for climbing plants, especially epiphytes, which are plants that grow on other plants as a means of support. Moss poles mimic the texture of moist, mossy bark and provide physical support for plants to grow aerial roots and climb upward.
Cheese plants, or Monsteras, are tropical vines that require staking on a moss pole. The stems of the plant are not strong enough to hold the plant up as the leaves get larger. A moss pole provides the support the plant needs to grow tall and healthy and encourages larger leaves with more of the iconic Swiss-cheese cutouts.
You will need a pole made of scrap wood, bamboo, PVC, or metal. You will also need moss, which can be sphagnum moss, sheet moss, or coco fiber. Finally, you will need something to attach the moss to the pole, such as fishing line, twine, string, or mesh.
First, decide on the height of your moss pole. The height and thickness of the staking material will be influenced by the size of your plant and how fast it grows. Soak your moss in water to make it easy to mould and work with. Then, wrap the moss around the pole, using string or twine to secure it. Leave the bottom third of the stake bare, as this section will be placed into the soil.
Place the moss pole near the edge of the pot and anchor it by adding a bottom layer of soil. Put the plant in the pot with its back to the moss pole and attach the plant to the moss pole with something that is not too rigid, like elastic twine or rope.
