How to Make a Moss Pole for Climbing Houseplants

A moss pole is a support structure for climbing and vining houseplants. It is typically made of a piece of wood or bamboo that is wrapped in sphagnum moss. The moss helps to keep the plant’s roots moist and provides a surface for the plant to attach its aerial roots.

Moss poles are a great way to support and train climbing houseplants. They can also help to improve the plant’s health and appearance.

Benefits of Using a Moss Pole

• Support: Moss poles provide a sturdy surface for climbing plants to grow on. This can help to prevent the plant from becoming leggy and falling over.
• Training: Moss poles can be used to train climbing plants to grow in a certain direction. This can help to create a more compact and attractive plant.
• Moisture: The moss on a moss pole helps to keep the plant’s roots moist. This is especially important for plants that are grown in dry climates or that are not watered regularly.
• Nutrients: The moss on a moss pole can also provide nutrients to the plant. This is because the moss is a living organism that can photosynthesize.
• Aeration: The moss on a moss pole helps to aerate the plant’s roots. This is because the moss is porous and allows air to flow through it.

Houseplants that May Need a Moss Pole

If you have a climbing houseplant, then it may need a moss pole as it gets bigger. Some of the most common climbing plants that need a moss include:

• Philodendrons: Philodendrons are a large group of plants that includes many different varieties. Some philodendrons, such as the heartleaf philodendron and the monstera deliciosa, are naturally climbing plants. They will grow upwards if they have something to climb on. A moss pole provides a sturdy surface for your philodendron to climb, and it also helps to keep the plant’s roots moist.
• Pothos: Pothos is another popular houseplant that is known for its trailing vines. Pothos can be grown in a pot or hanging basket, but it will grow more vigorously if it has something to climb on. A moss pole provides the perfect surface for your pothos to climb, and it also helps to keep the plant’s roots moist.
• Monstera: Monstera is a popular houseplant that is known for its large, split leaves. Monstera is a naturally climbing plant, and it will grow upwards if it has something to climb on. A moss pole provides the perfect surface for your monstera to climb, and it also helps to keep the plant’s roots moist.
• Spathiphyllum: Spathiphyllum is a popular houseplant that is known for its white flowers. Spathiphyllum is not a naturally climbing plant, but it can be trained to climb on a moss pole. Training your spathiphyllum to climb on a moss pole will help to keep the plant looking neat and tidy.

If you have a climbing houseplant, I highly recommend using a moss pole. It’s a great way to support your plant, train its growth, and improve its health.

Getting a Plant to Climb

To get a plant to climb a moss pole, you will need to:

1. Choose the right plant. Not all plants will climb a moss pole. Some plants, such as pothos and philodendron, are naturally climbing plants and will readily attach themselves to the moss pole. Other plants, such as spider plants and peace lilies, are not naturally climbing plants and will need to be trained to climb.
2. Prepare the moss pole. You can buy a moss pole at most garden centers, or you can make your own. To make your own moss pole, you will need a piece of wood or bamboo, sphagnum moss, and string or twine. Soak the sphagnum moss in water for 15-20 minutes, then wrap it around the pole, starting at the bottom and working your way up. Use the string or twine to secure the moss in place.
3. Plant your plant. Once the moss pole is prepared, plant your plant in a pot that is slightly larger than the root ball. Place the moss pole in the center of the pot, and make sure that the bottom of the pole is buried in the soil.
4. Train your plant. Once your plant is in the pot, you will need to train it to climb the moss pole. Gently guide the plant’s stems around the pole, and use the string or twine to secure them in place. As the plant grows, it will continue to climb the pole.
5. Water and fertilize your plant. Be sure to water your plant regularly, especially during hot weather. You should also fertilize your plant according to the instructions on the fertilizer label.

With a little bit of patience and care, you can train your plant to climb a moss pole and create a beautiful and unique display.

How to Make a Moss Pole for Climbing Plants

When it comes to moss poles, there are many options already premade. Of course, this is the easiest solution, though they’re not always made from the best climbing material. To make sure your plants are getting exactly what they need, you can make your own moss pole in only a few steps.

To make a moss pole, you will need:

• A piece of wood or bamboo
• Sphagnum moss
• String or twine
• Scissors
• A bowl of water

Instructions:

1. Soak the sphagnum moss in a bowl of water for 15-20 minutes. This will help to make the moss more pliable and easier to work with.
2. Cut the piece of wood or bamboo to the desired height. You can make the pole as tall or short as you like, depending on the size of your plant.
3. Wrap the sphagnum moss around the pole, starting at the bottom and working your way up. Use the string or twine to secure the moss in place.
4. Once the moss is secure, place the pole in your plant’s pot. The bottom of the pole should be buried in the soil.
5. Water your plant well and let the soil drain completely.
6. Your plant should start to climb the pole within a few weeks.

Moss poles are a great way to support climbing plants and keep them looking their best. With a little bit of time and effort, you can make your own moss pole at home.

Tips:

• If you can’t find sphagnum moss, you can use sheet moss or coconut fiber.
• Be sure to water your plant regularly, especially during hot weather.
• Mist the moss pole occasionally to keep it moist.
• Fertilize your plant according to the instructions on the fertilizer label.
• With proper care, your moss pole should last for several years.

Conclusion

Aside from visual interest, moss poles provide a number of benefits for houseplants,. They help to keep the plant’s roots most, provide a source of nutrients for the plant, can help prevent pests and diseases, and can help support the plant’s weight.

Climbing plants are a great way to add interest and height to your indoor plant collection. If you have a climbing houseplant, I highly recommend using a moss pole.

How to Make a Moss Pole

Print

Make your own moss pole for climbing houseplants in only a few steps using shagnum moss.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Active Time 30 minutes

Total Time 40 minutes

Difficulty Easy

Materials

• A piece of wood or bamboo
• Sphagnum moss
• String or twine
• Scissors
• A bowl of water

Instructions

1. Soak the sphagnum moss in a bowl of water for 15-20 minutes. This will help to make the moss more pliable and easier to work with.
2. Cut the piece of wood or bamboo to the desired height. You can make the pole as tall or short as you like, depending on the size of your plant.
3. Wrap the sphagnum moss around the pole, starting at the bottom and working your way up. Use the string or twine to secure the moss in place.
4. Once the moss is secure, place the pole in your plant's pot. The bottom of the pole should be buried in the soil.
5. Water your plant well and let the soil drain completely.
6. Your plant should start to climb the pole within a few weeks.

Notes

You can also make a moss pole with chicken wire. You will need to use chicken wire that is 1/2 inch or 1 inch mesh.

1. Cut a piece of chicken wire into a cylinder shape. The length of the cylinder should be about twice as tall as your plant, and the diameter should be about the same as the diameter of your plant's pot.
2. Wrap the chicken wire cylinder in moss. You can use sphagnum moss or another type of moss. Just make sure the moss is damp, but not wet.
3. Secure the moss to the chicken wire with wire ties.
4. Place the moss pole in your plant's pot.
5. Tie your plant's vines to the moss pole.
6. Water your plant and keep the moss moist.