6 Monstera climbing aids to attach: Moosstab & Co

The Monstera also called Window leaf a popular houseplant is known in this country. Over time, it can grow to be enormous. The Monstera needs a stable climbing aid for good growth.

Aerial roots for climbing

At home in the tropical rainforests of South and Central America, the window leaf climbs up the branches and trunks of large trees, always facing the light. The plant clings to its strong aerial roots. In addition, these roots also serve to absorb moisture and nutrients from the environment. If the arum plant is kept in a room, a climbing frame or support rod cannot be dispensed with. When making the selection, it is important to ensure that the aerial roots also get an appropriate hold. The surface of the climbing aids should always be rough. The use of coconut mats can help with smooth surfaces:

• Coconut mats are available from specialist gardeners
• easy to cut into appropriate sizes
• with it, if necessary, smooth support rods etc. wrap around

Note: The aerial roots hang down from the trunk. You can easily convert these into earth roots. Simply divert this into a full glass of water.

Climbing aid for Monstera

Trellis and support rods made from a wide variety of materials are available from specialist retailers. Climbing aids to which the Monstera can easily be attached not only serves to shape the plant, but also at the same time the load is taken from the shoots and the window leaf can concentrate all of its energy on growing focus. In addition, the plant is held firmly in place and prevents it from tipping over. Furthermore, the ventilation of the shoots is improved and the risk of fungal attack is reduced. The following climbing aids have proven themselves for the Monstera.

Support frame made of bamboo

Very popular as support sticks for indoor plants, and plant sticks are also made for the Monstera Bamboo. They can be used individually or in groups.

• Air roots can adhere well
• available in different lengths and thicknesses
• easy to use
• just stuck in the ground

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

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 are wooden rods coated with coconut fibers.

• Diameter 5 cm
• available in different lengths
• open top
• This means that it can be extended by attaching several extensions
• lower part made of water-resistant material
• therefore no laziness in the earth possible
• Monstera can attach itself through aerial roots

Moss sticks

A very popular climbing aid for the Monstera and other climbing house plants is the moss stick. Either the stick is wrapped in damp moss or moss is stuck in a tube made of wire mesh. It is important that the moss forms a continuous column and can absorb moisture from the earth. A moss stick can be extended up to a height of two meters using lugs.

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

Trellis

Trellis 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 available in stores. But you can also easily build them yourself, for example:

• Insert two V-shaped plant sticks into the plant pot
• Attach various cross bars in between
• ideal placement of a trellis outside the pot
• therefore good stability
• better still screwing the grille to the wall

"Tie up" the Monstera

Another possibility to give the Monstera a climbing aid is quite simple, if the plant has got a permanent place in the apartment. The tendrils are simply attached to the wall. You can then use various binding materials to secure the Monstera in place. The procedure is as follows:

• Attach stable hooks to the wall
• Tie tight tendrils with a loop of thread / ribbon
• Be careful not to squash the tendrils
• The thread / tape must not cut into it
• ideally suitable plant binder with Velcro fastener
• Available rolled up
• Tree ties with foam coating can also be used well
• both materials are reusable

Branches from pruning

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

Make your own moss sticks

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

Version 1:

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

Variant 2:

This is a little more complex. You will need a wire mesh and wire cutters to do this. The procedure is then as follows:

• Cut wire for a tube
• Size according to the height of the plant and the pot
• The diameter of the pipe is at least 5 cm
• Roll the wire into a tube
• Bend the ends
• Put moist peat moss into tube
• press firmly with a stick

It is important that the moss forms a continuous column; this is the only way to absorb moisture from the earth. If there is a gap within the column, the water transport is interrupted and the moss at the tip of the rod then dries out.

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 stable hooks and screws must ensure that the climbing aids are securely attached. If support rods are used in the flower pot, it is necessary to press them firmly into the earth. The overall length of the climbing aid is always important so that the growing plant cannot become top-heavy and ultimately tip over.

frequently asked Questions