Creating a Moss Pole for Staking Plants
Benefits of Staking
There are many varieties of houseplants that are epiphytes, which means the plants typically use other larger plants, such as trees, as support to reach the tops of tree canopies in search of sunlight when in their natural habitat.
To mimic the bark on the trees, we recommend using a moss pole, because it can retain moisture and has a texture that is easy for the plant to attach to. These epiphytes will grow aerial roots that will grab onto the pole and help it climb upward. The results are typically larger and, depending on the variety, more fenestrated leaves. Growing a staked plant also benefits small spaces, since the plant will grow upward and will not sprawl out, saving space.
Materials
○ Stake with desired width and height (piece of wood, pvc pipe, bamboo stick, etc.)
○ Sphagnum Moss (you can also use sheet moss)
○ Choice of String (twine, fishing line, etc.)
○ Scissors or Pruners
○ Bowl or Container for soaking moss
○ Gloves (optional)
Steps
○ First, thoroughly soak the moss for 15 minutes.
• Once done, remove from the bowl or container and wring out the moss so that it is moist but not soaking wet.
○ You will then make a knot with the chosen string at the top of the pole and use it almost like an anchor.
○ Grab clumps of moss and stick onto your pole.
• Use one hand to hold moss onto the pole and then the other hand to wrap the string around the pole.
○ Once the string is secured, add enough moss to form a layer up to a ½ - 1 inch in thickness.
○ Then slowly wrap the string downwards and keep wrapping until the moss is secured.
• Leave the bottom ¼ of your stake bare so you can stick it into the soil.
• Any extra string will be tied into a knot at the bottom to use as another anchor.
Positioning Stake
○ Look for the base of the plant and carefully place the unwrapped portion of the pole close to the main stem you are trying to stake.
• It is recommended to pack in soil near the bottom of the pole to keep it from moving.
○ The way you stake this plant will depend on the plant you choose.
• Some have flexible stems that can be wrapped around while other varieties are very rigid and must be trained early on by tying to the stake to maintain a nice shape.
○ Even plants with aerial roots (which is the plant’s way of latching on) will need to be tied up to the stake for a few months until the plant wraps around the plant on its own.
• Feel free to use any string or garden tape to keep the stem tied to the moss pole.
Plant Recommendations
○ Monsteras:
• This plant group is well known for getting quite large when staked. They are commonly known as the Swiss cheese plant because of all the holes they can develop which are known as fenestrations. By staking, you can encourage more fenestration.
○ Philodendrons/Pothos:
• These plant groups are known for their trailing/cascading nature but can be trained to climb up trellises and stakes. As they continue to climb their leaves can get much larger.
Benefits of Staking
There are many varieties of houseplants that are epiphytes, which means the plants typically use other larger plants, such as trees, as support to reach the tops of tree canopies in search of sunlight when in their natural habitat.
To mimic the bark on the trees, we recommend using a moss pole, because it can retain moisture and has a texture that is easy for the plant to attach to. These epiphytes will grow aerial roots that will grab onto the pole and help it climb upward. The results are typically larger and, depending on the variety, more fenestrated leaves. Growing a staked plant also benefits small spaces, since the plant will grow upward and will not sprawl out, saving space.
Materials
○ Stake with desired width and height (piece of wood, pvc pipe, bamboo stick, etc.)
○ Sphagnum Moss (you can also use sheet moss)
○ Choice of String (twine, fishing line, etc.)
○ Scissors or Pruners
○ Bowl or Container for soaking moss
○ Gloves (optional)
Steps
○ First, thoroughly soak the moss for 15 minutes.
• Once done, remove from the bowl or container and wring out the moss so that it is moist but not soaking wet.
○ You will then make a knot with the chosen string at the top of the pole and use it almost like an anchor.
○ Grab clumps of moss and stick onto your pole.
• Use one hand to hold moss onto the pole and then the other hand to wrap the string around the pole.
○ Once the string is secured, add enough moss to form a layer up to a ½ - 1 inch in thickness.
○ Then slowly wrap the string downwards and keep wrapping until the moss is secured.
• Leave the bottom ¼ of your stake bare so you can stick it into the soil.
• Any extra string will be tied into a knot at the bottom to use as another anchor.
Positioning Stake
○ Look for the base of the plant and carefully place the unwrapped portion of the pole close to the main stem you are trying to stake.
• It is recommended to pack in soil near the bottom of the pole to keep it from moving.
○ The way you stake this plant will depend on the plant you choose.
• Some have flexible stems that can be wrapped around while other varieties are very rigid and must be trained early on by tying to the stake to maintain a nice shape.
○ Even plants with aerial roots (which is the plant’s way of latching on) will need to be tied up to the stake for a few months until the plant wraps around the plant on its own.
• Feel free to use any string or garden tape to keep the stem tied to the moss pole.
Plant Recommendations
○ Monsteras:
• This plant group is well known for getting quite large when staked. They are commonly known as the Swiss cheese plant because of all the holes they can develop which are known as fenestrations. By staking, you can encourage more fenestration.
○ Philodendrons/Pothos:
• These plant groups are known for their trailing/cascading nature but can be trained to climb up trellises and stakes. As they continue to climb their leaves can get much larger.