We have all been there. You take home a new houseplant, and within a couple of months it starts growing much faster than you anticipated. Maybe it’s growing to be too bushy for its pot, or its sprawling out and searching for something to grab onto. I have even witnessed many of our tropical plants reaching out and grabbing on to nearby plants. They really do have a mind of their own!

Moss poles are a great option for stabilizing house plants and giving them the support they need as they grow. A sphagnum moss pole mimics your plants natural habitat. With something to climb, your plant will feel right at home as if it were in the forest growing up a tree trunk. They also provide a nice aesthetic for the home and help keep your plant tidy.

While you can also use a support structure like a trellis or bamboo stakes, I find the moss pole to be the easiest to use. And, it also looks the best! I’ll show you how attach your plant to a moss pole in this step-by-step guide.

Tip: The bendable Mossify moss pole comes with everything you need to secure your plant! It’s high-quality, sturdy, and easy to use. And, Mossify plants one tree for every order. If you are looking for an easy moss pole to use, this is the one I recommend!

Why use a moss pole for houseplants?

In the wild, plants like Monstera grow up natural surfaces like trees. Using a moss pole mimics this surface and the plants natural environment. The moss pole gives your larger plants the support they need and desire.

Using a moss pole also trains your houseplant for vertical growth, so it will take up less space on the floor. Plants with larger leaves need extra support, especially if they are being kept as indoor plants. And, after providing your plant with a moss pole, you will notice the new growth to be much more lush.

What to do with aerial roots on houseplants

Before we get into setting up your moss pole, I want to talk a bit about aerial roots. Aerial roots are rather quirky and can be a bit overwhelming if it is your first time seeing them. By using a moss pole, you’ll be providing the plant with a surface for these roots to climb on.

You can also place these roots back into the soil to help give it a bit more support. You may find an aerial root that is out of control and will not benefit from your support structure.

In this case, you can prune it off with a sharp pair of shears close to the main stem. This may be difficult to do, but rest assured, it will not hurt the plant!

Types of plants that can be trained on a moss pole

Any climbing or trailing plants will benefit from the support of a moss pole. Here are some of the best plants and most popular options. While heavier plants with thick stems benefit most from the support, you can also use these poles on more lightweight indoor climbing plants.

Monstera deliciosa – Known for its large (and heavy) fenestrated leaves, these houseplants love the support of a moss pole.
Monstera adansonii – The swiss cheese plant grows quickly and loves to climb. Providing it with a moss pole will keep it happy as it stretches and attaches to new surfaces.
Ivy – You may be familiar with ivy as it tends to grow rather aggressively up the sides of buildings. If you would like to keep ivy in the home (which we do!), giving it a designated surface to climb will help control its growth habit.
Pothos – Pothos is known as one of the easiest houseplants to care for. You can train them to climb up a moss pole or even pin up their long vines around your home. Golden pothos, with its bright colors, is a nice option for your moss pole, but any variety will work.
Philodendron – These low maintenance houseplants will enjoy climbing up your moss pole just as much as your pothos plants.

How to attach a plant to a moss pole

When you hear the words “moss pole” it can sound a bit intimidating. Isn’t this something that only experienced houseplant parents use? But rest assured, using your new moss pole is incredibly easy! Whether you use a pre-made moss pole or a D.I.Y option, the process is the same.

Time needed: 10 minutes

Here is how to attach a plant, like a monstera, to a moss pole.

Gather your materials.
First, gather all the materials you will need. In order to secure your moss pole, you will be repotting your plant. So, if you want to upsize it a larger pot, this is a good time to do that. I always suggest repotting in the spring or summer months (the growing season). Get some extra soil, your moss pole, and any clips you will need to attach it. The Mossify pole comes with everything you need.
Add potting soil and base of pole to new pot.
Gently remove your plant from its current pot and set it aside. Add a bit of potting soil to the base of your new pot. Then, situate the base of the pole at the bottom of the pot. You will also want to be sure the moss pole is near the center of the pot so it will provide the best support and balance.
Move your plant in.
After you have found a good place for your pole, you can transplant your house plant into its new home. Be mindful of the roots of the plant and be as gentle as possible. You may need to move things around to get it situated just right.
Backfill the soil.
Backfill the soil to secure the plant and get ready to adhere it to the pole. If you are using the Mossify pole, you can bend it at this time to whatever fun shape you would like!
Secure your plant.
Use the provided clips or plant tape to clip your plant to the pole and secure it. If you are using a DIY pole, you can use twist ties, fishing line, or soft string. Just be sure not to tie it too tightly. Be mindful of air circulation as well.

Tip: I would suggest holding off on fertilizing your plant at this time. After repotting, it is not uncommon for plants to go through a bit of shock. Allow time for it to acclimate to its new environment!

How to keep moss pole moist

Now that your moss pole is situated, you may be wondering how to keep it wet. You also may be thinking, what did I get myself into? Did you just over-complicate your houseplant care routine?

Here’s the good news – you don’t really need to overthink it. Your moss pole is still functional when it is completely dry. It’s working as a support structure and helping to stabilize your plant, preventing it from toppling over under its own weight!

That being said, you will want to keep your pole moist and mist it daily to help the aerial roots establish. Keep an eye on the moisture level. You do not want it sopping wet, as this can invite unwanted pests into your grow space.

In the winter/dry months, you can situate the moss pole near the humidifier. It’s entirely up to you how often you want to mist your moss pole.

Hopefully this guide helped you learn the best way to attach your plant to your new moss pole. It’s a simple process, and once you have one, you’ll want to provide all your plants with something to climb!