Andy Montoya
The Swiss Cheese Plant, also known as the Monstera deliciosa, is a tropical vine that can grow to enormous heights in its native rainforest habitat. When grown indoors, it needs a moss pole for support so that it can grow upwards instead of outwards. A moss pole is an upright pole covered in sphagnum moss that is stuck into the pot with the plant. The moss pole provides the plant with something to climb and gives it moisture and nutrients, allowing it to grow tall and healthy with larger, more defined leaves.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is a moss pole? | A solid structure covered in moss, usually sphagnum moss, that gardeners use to grow their plants upwards rather than out. |
| Why does a Swiss cheese plant need a moss pole? | The Swiss cheese plant is a fast-growing plant that needs support to grow upright. It is a climbing plant that uses its aerial roots to cling to tree trunks and draw moisture in its natural habitat. |
| How to use a moss pole for a Swiss cheese plant? | You can buy a pre-made moss pole or make one at home by wrapping sphagnum moss around a bamboo stick or PVC pipe. Place the moss pole close to the plant and secure the stems of the plant to the pole with a soft plant tie, yarn, or cotton string. Mist the moss pole occasionally to keep it moist and soft so that the plant's aerial roots can attach easily. |
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What You'll Learn
Why a moss pole is necessary for healthy growth
The Swiss cheese plant, or Monstera deliciosa, is a tropical vine that can grow up to 10 feet (3 m) tall in the wild. When grown indoors, it needs a support structure to climb, and that's where a moss pole comes in. Here's why a moss pole is necessary for the healthy growth of a Swiss cheese plant:
Support for Climbing
The Swiss cheese plant is a natural climber and uses its strong aerial roots to cling to and draw moisture from the rough bark of tall rainforest trees. When grown indoors, a moss pole provides a similar surface for the plant to climb. The aerial roots penetrate the moss and attach to it, making it easy for the plant to climb upwards rather than growing outwards. This helps the plant grow tall and healthy and encourages larger leaves with more of the iconic Swiss-cheese cutouts.
Moisture and Nutrients
Moss contains water and micronutrients, so a moss pole provides a second source of water and nourishment for the plant. This is especially beneficial for the Swiss cheese plant, which is an epiphyte that gets its nourishment from the surrounding air and water. By keeping the moss moist, you can ensure the plant's roots have easy access to water and can continue to grow into the pole.
Aesthetics and Space
A moss pole helps to train the Swiss cheese plant to grow upwards, preventing it from flopping over the edges of pots and tangling up in a mess. This not only keeps the plant looking neat and attractive but also helps to save space. The plant's stems can be attached to the pole using soft plant wire or twine, allowing you to guide its growth and contain its enthusiastic expansion.
Mimics Natural Habitat
In its native habitat, the Swiss cheese plant uses its aerial roots to cling to trees and draw moisture from their bark. A moss pole, with its spongy texture, mimics the bark of rainforest trees, allowing the plant to behave more like it would in the wild. This makes it easier for the plant to adapt to its indoor environment and promotes healthy growth.
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How to make a DIY moss pole
A DIY moss pole is easy to make and only requires a few materials. You can make a small or large moss pole depending on the size of your plant, and it can always be extended as your plant grows.
Materials
- Stake (bamboo, PVC pipe, wooden dowel, or bamboo chopsticks)
- Sphagnum moss, sheet moss, or coconut fiber sheet
- String (twine, jute, or fishing line)
- Plant wire with soft foam coating
- Potting soil
Instructions
First, decide on the height and thickness of the staking material. Shorter and thinner stakes are ideal for smaller plants, while larger and taller stakes are better for supporting larger plants.
Next, tie a piece of string tightly around the top of the stake and lay handfuls of moss on it. Use one hand to hold the moss around the pole while using the other hand to wrap the string diagonally downward. The goal is to have a thickness of 1/2 - 1 inch of moss around the pole. Leave the bottom 1/3 of the stake bare as this section will be placed into the soil. Once the moss is secure, tie off the string and trim any excess string or stray pieces of moss.
Then, carefully insert the unwrapped section of the stake into the soil of the pot that the plant is growing in. Place it slightly behind the plant and press the soil gently at the base to stabilize the pole. You can also add some extra potting soil to offer more support.
Finally, attach the stems of the plant to the moss pole with gardener's twine or soft plant wire. Water the plant thoroughly to help it establish. You can mist the moss pole occasionally to keep your plant interested in its new support. The roots will continue to grow into the moss if they find moisture.
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How to attach the Swiss cheese plant to the pole
The Swiss cheese plant, or Monstera deliciosa, is a fast-growing plant with enormous leaves. In the wild, it uses its aerial roots to cling to tree trunks and draw moisture from the bark of tall rainforest trees. To replicate this in a domestic setting, you can use a moss pole to provide support and nourishment.
To attach a Swiss cheese plant to a moss pole, start by placing the moss pole in a shallow container of water and let it soak until it is thoroughly moistened. Then, stick the moss pole into the soil of the plant pot, placing it close to the vine and firming it into place. You can then use a soft plant tie, yarn, or cotton string to secure the thicker stems of the plant to the pole. You can also use plant wire with soft foam coating to pull the stems towards the pole. Mist the moss occasionally to keep the plant interested in its new support. Over time, the aerial roots will attach to the moss pole and the plant will grow vertically.
It is important to note that a Swiss cheese plant can grow without a moss pole. If left to grow without support, the plant will trail and grow horizontally. However, if your plant is in a tight space or not getting sufficient light, it is better to use a moss pole.
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How to care for a Swiss cheese plant on a moss pole
A Swiss cheese plant, or Monstera deliciosa, is a tropical vine that can grow quite large. It is a fast-growing plant with enormous leaves and a new leaf every 4-6 weeks. In its native habitat, it uses its strong aerial roots to cling to and draw moisture from the rough bark of tall rainforest trees.
A moss pole is a necessity for a Swiss cheese plant to grow healthily and attractively indoors. It provides the support the plant needs to grow vertically, and also provides moisture and nutrients. Here is a step-by-step guide to caring for a Swiss cheese plant with a moss pole:
Preparing the Moss Pole
You can buy a moss pole from specialty plant nurseries or Amazon. Alternatively, you can make one at home by wrapping sphagnum moss around a bamboo cane or PVC pipe. Soak the sphagnum moss in water until it is thoroughly wet, then start stretching the moss over the pole and use string or twine to hold it in place.
Setting up the Plant and Moss Pole
Place the moss pole into the soil of the pot that the Swiss cheese plant is growing in. Place it close to the vine and firm it into place by pressing the soil gently at the base to stabilise the pole. You can nestle it slightly behind the plant.
Attaching the Plant to the Moss Pole
You can use soft plant wire, twine, yarn, or cotton string to attach the stems of the plant to the moss pole. Bring the stems up against the moistened moss and secure them gently but firmly. If the stem is long, tie it to the pole in several places so it is secure. You can also encourage the plant to attach to the pole by misting the moss occasionally.
Watering
Water the plant thoroughly after attaching it to the pole. As for the moss pole, spray it with water daily to keep it moist and soft. For regular watering, let the top inch or two of soil dry out a bit between waterings, and make sure the container drains well.
Other Care Tips
The Swiss cheese plant is happy with average to high humidity levels but cannot cope in dry air situations. It prefers moist, warm conditions and plenty of bright, indirect light. You can wipe the leaves with a damp cloth occasionally to remove accumulated dust. Feed the plant once a month with a balanced fertiliser during the growing period.
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Benefits of using a moss pole
The Swiss Cheese Plant, or Monstera Deliciosa, is a tropical vine that can grow to enormous heights. When grown indoors, it needs support to grow healthily and maintain its shape. Here are some benefits of using a moss pole for this purpose:
Support for the Plant:
The Swiss Cheese Plant is a natural climber, and in its native rainforest habitat, it uses its aerial roots to cling to tall trees and draw moisture from their bark. When grown indoors, a moss pole provides a similar surface for the plant to climb and attach to. The moss on the pole mimics the spongy texture of rainforest tree bark, giving the plant's roots something to grip onto as it grows.
Moisture and Nutrition:
Moss naturally contains water and micronutrients. Therefore, a moss pole provides an additional source of moisture and nutrients for the plant. This helps the Swiss Cheese Plant grow tall and healthy, encouraging larger leaves with more of the iconic Swiss-cheese cutouts.
Aesthetic Value:
The Swiss Cheese Plant is known for its large, glossy, heart-shaped leaves with unique perforations and lobes. By providing the necessary support for the plant to grow vertically, a moss pole helps showcase these beautiful leaves. The plant can then be displayed in hallways, conservatories, or modern living spaces, adding a touch of retro-chic appeal to the interior decor.
Easy to Set Up and Maintain:
Moss poles are readily available at specialty plant nurseries, and they are easy to install. You can even make your own by wrapping a stake with moss and securing it with string. Once set up, caring for a Swiss Cheese Plant on a moss pole is similar to caring for one without. The only additional step is to occasionally mist the moss to keep it moist, encouraging the plant's roots to continue growing into it.
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Frequently asked questions
The Swiss cheese plant, or Monstera deliciosa, is a fast-growing vine that uses its aerial roots to cling to and draw moisture from the rough bark of tall rainforest trees. A moss pole provides a similar surface for the plant to grab onto and climb, allowing it to grow vertically rather than horizontally.
You can buy a pre-made moss pole or make one yourself. If making your own, wrap sphagnum moss around a bamboo stick or PVC pipe, securing it with string or twine. Place the pole in a shallow container with water and let it soak until it’s thoroughly moistened. Then, insert the pole into the soil of the pot that the Swiss cheese plant is growing in, placing it close to the vine and firming it into place. Finally, attach the vine to the moss pole with soft plant wire, gardener’s twine, yarn, or cotton string.
Keep the moss pole moist by misting it occasionally or dripping water down its length. The aerial roots of the Swiss cheese plant will attach to the moss pole over time, so be careful not to remove or shift the pole when repotting the plant. Wipe the leaves with a damp cloth occasionally to maintain their polished look.
