Monstera is a trendy tropical plant that can grow very big if taken care of properly. With aerial roots, it takes water and nutrients from the trees in the forest and the air in the apartment if it’s in a pot. Due to its very high tendency to grow out of the pot, monstera needs solid support in terms of the trellis so it can maintain its shape and have healthy growth.
Here’s how to set up a trellis for your monstera:
- Make the trellis suitable for the monstera.
- Place the trellis in the soil.
- Adjust the stems around the trellis.
- Affix stems to the trellis.
In the rest of this article, I’ll explain each of these steps in more detail, how to know when to get the trellis, and how to teach monstera to climb it.
1. Make the Trellis Suitable for the Monstera
Trellis you’re planning on putting in the pot to support your monstera needs to be taller than the plant. Monstera is known for growing fast if the conditions are suitable, so you don’t want to change the trellis every few months.
The width of the trellis should be a little bigger than the plant. Think about the new stems that’ll grow after the frame is placed and adjust it to be suitable for new branches.
Trellis material can be metal, wood, or plastic, whatever you find suitable for your budget, or you can make it yourself with leftover sticks and hot glue.
If you want to make trellis yourself, here’s a YouTube video showing how to make it with just a few basic materials quickly:
2. Place the Trellis in the Soil
Placing the trellis in the soil in the pot should be easy if the monstera is still tiny and doesn’t have many stems. Make sure to poke a hole in the soil to see any roots at that particular spot.
Gently place the bottom part of the trellis inside the soil and push it down, so it’s fixated and doesn’t fall over. Parts going into the soil should be as long as half of the depth of the pot so they won’t move.
Adjust the trellis so that it’s placed immediately next to the plant. That way, there will be no risk of damaging the plant while adjusting its stems and vines to the trellis.
3. Adjust the Stems Around the Trellis
After the trellis is in place you want it to be, gently lay the stems and vines on it and around it.
Be careful while moving the parts of monstera around the trellis to avoid breaking it or damaging the core. Even though monstera is pretty agile, moving smaller pieces over the framework can be tricky because they can fall off.
4. Affix Stems to the Trellis
After adjusting the stems over and around the trellis, use soft rubber ties or fabric ribbons to affix them.
Be mindful of the strength of the knots. Tying up the stems should be a little loose so the plant isn’t harmed by it as it grows. Ensure that you check the knots occasionally to avoid cutting off the limbs of the plant as they become thicker.
You’ll need to remove and then reaffix the tied stems to the trellis any time that the vine grows, or when fresh leaves appear.
When Does Monstera Need Trellis?
A monstera needs a trellis or some kind of support as soon as you notice that it’s growing out of the pot. Additionally, if the number of stems and vines continues to increase, you’ll want to provide solid support to prevent the leaves from falling over, being weighed down, or snapping.
Monstera is a fast-growing tropical plant. If you don’t act quickly, it’ll begin growing out of the pot sooner rather than later. This creates an unsightly appearance, and it’s not good for the plant’s health.
Since the plant has large leaves, they’ll drag the stem down, making it bend or even snap if the weight of the leaf is too much for it.
Before that happens, you’ll insert the trellis and adjust the plant around it, so it learns how to grow up. After some time, it’ll form in a perfect apartment-friendly plant that’s easy to maintain and pretty to look at.
How To Teach Monstera To Climb the Trellis
Adjusting the stems to frame is easy and quick when the plant isn’t leaning out of the pot still. By affixing the branches to the trellis, the monstera will know in which direction to grow.
Climber plants are mimicking their natural environment, which is, in this case, tropical forest. Monstera attaches roots to the trees around her, and with that movement, she’s growing bigger and stronger.
Tying up to the trellis will be natural for your monstera, and it’ll adjust immediately. Use rubber ties that won’t damage the stem, and the plant surface will be untouched. Don’t spare the rubber ties because you want to avoid the monstera growing too much and leaning over to one side.
Keep an eye on the new stems and make sure to affix them after they pass a certain point in their size. You’ll know when to tie the stem because it’ll be too heavy to stay on its own.
When Is the Best Time To Repot Your Monstera?
The necessity of trellis doesn’t always mean that monstera needs a new pot. However, knowing when it’s the best time to repot the plant can also mean the new trellis.
If you see that the roots are coming out of the draining holes on the bottom of the pot, you might consider getting a large pot for your lovely plant. Some sources say that it’s good to leave the roots hanging out the holes to let them dry out so the monstera won’t grow more than it should.
One more indication is if the monstera is staying the same size for a longer time. That might mean that the soil needs to be changed and that it lacks nutrients.
If the conditions are advantageous, your monstera will grow and take up a lot of space. Not just in the pot, but the apartment also. Make sure you’re navigating its growth, so it aligns with your living conditions and wishes.
Conclusion
The monstera adds an aesthetically pleasing appearance to any property, and is a beloved plant for good reason. With solid support with the aid of a trellis, a monstera will grow, maintain its shape, and flourish.
Sources
- House Plant House: How To Train Your Monstera Around A Support
- Domino: How to Care for a Monstera—Even If You’re Not a Plant Pro
- Plant Savvy: How To Care For Monstera Deliciosa AKA Swiss Cheese Plant
- House Plant Journal: Trellis Installation For Monstera Deliciosa
- Monstera Plant Resource Center: Using Indoor Plant Supports With Monstera Plants
- The Healthy Houseplant: A Step by Step Guide to Repotting Your Monstera Deliciosa
