Monsteras are one of the most popular houseplants. They bring a touch of the tropics inside with their split leaves and vining growth habit. But if you let them, these beautiful plants can get out of hand and take over your home.
That’s why training a monstera is essential With the right techniques, you can direct your plant’s growth and prevent it from getting out of control.
We will talk about everything you need to know to train your monstera in this full guide, such as:
- Why monsteras need to be trained
- When to start training
- Choosing the right support
- How to stake and secure your monstera
- Encouraging upward growth
- Ongoing maintenance
Let’s get started!
Why Train a Monstera?
Monsteras are natural climbers. In the jungle where they come from, they climb trees and other vertical surfaces to get to the light. Their leaves are very big, which makes the stems top-heavy as the plant grows.
If you don’t give a monstera plant the right support, it will start to spread out horizontally when it gets too big and heavy. This can cause:
- Messy, unbalanced growth
- Difficulty moving the plant
- Potential damage as stems break under the weight
By training your monstera up a support you can
- Direct and control its growth habit
- Keep it neat and tidy
- Prevent damage from toppling
- Save floor and table space
Training also allows you to showcase the plant’s form. A supported monstera looks intentionally displayed rather than haphazardly overgrown.
When to Start Training a Monstera
It’s best to start training a monstera when it is still a juvenile plant. This allows the flexible young stems to be easily shaped around a support.
Signs it’s time to add support include:
- Appearance of aerial roots. These thick roots grow outward seeking support.
- Horizontal growth. New leaves growing outward rather than up.
- Bending stems. Stems curve downward under the weight of leaves.
Acting early prevents issues later when the monstera is harder to control. Don’t wait until it is already sprawling – be proactive.
Choosing a Monstera Support
The most common supports used for monsteras are:
- Moss poles – Poles wrapped in moist sphagnum moss. Monstera aerial roots readily attach to the moss.
- Coir/fiber poles – Poles wrapped in coconut fiber. Works similarly to moss.
- Trellises – A crisscrossed lattice that provides support. Made from materials like wood or metal.
- Bamboo stakes – Single stakes or arranged teepee-style. Provide support but not for aerial roots.
Consider height, sturdiness, and appearance when choosing. Extendable poles allow you to add height as needed.
For very large/mature plants, a dedicated trellis offers maximum support. Moss poles work well for smaller juveniles.
Staking and Securing Your Monstera
Once you’ve chosen an appropriate support, it’s time to stake and secure your monstera. Follow these steps:
1. Stake the Support
Place the support centrally in the pot if using a single pole. Or place a trellis nearby.
If repotting, insert support first then position roots around it. Otherwise, dig a hole in the current pot avoiding damage to roots.
Ensure the support is stable and won’t topple from imbalance. Pack soil around it to hold firmly.
2. Secure the Main Stem
Use soft ties or twist ties to gently tie the main stem to the support. Attach at several points along the stem.
Aim to hold it just snugly against the support. Avoid constricting ties.
3. Direct Aerial Roots
Use the same ties to loosely secure emerging aerial roots to the support. Try to redirect them onto the moss or trellis.
Misting the support helps attract the roots.
4. Allow Time for Attachment
It will take time for the monstera to fully attach itself. Keep ties on until aerial roots affix themselves. Then remove ties.
Mist moss poles to keep moist. Aerial roots will slowly adhere.
Encouraging Upward Growth
With the support installed, here are some tips to keep your monstera’s growth heading skyward:
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Rotate the pot frequently to balance light exposure. This prevents leaning toward one side.
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Prune back unwanted horizontal growth. This redirects energy upward.
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Pin wayward stems to the support. This trains them where to grow.
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Consider fertilizing to fuel active growth. But avoid over-feeding.
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Maintain proper growing conditions. Monsteras need warmth, humidity, and good light.
Be patient – it can take months for a monstera to fully attach and acclimate to a support. But the reward is a stunning showpiece plant.
Ongoing Maintenance
Even a well-trained monstera will need occasional maintenance:
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Check ties monthly. Adjust, replace, or remove as needed.
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Extend moss poles as the plant grows by stacking or replacing with a taller pole.
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Prune aggressively when required to control size. But avoid removing too much foliage.
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Dust broad leaves periodically to allow light penetration.
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Rotate the plant or support every few months to encourage even growth.
Don’t neglect your duties once you’ve added the initial support. Training a monstera is an ongoing job, but pays dividends.
Enjoy Your Trained Monstera!
With consistent TLC, you can have a shapely monstera that forms the perfect centerpiece or living accent in your home.
Training requires commitment, but the end result is well worth it. Just be sure to provide proper care along the way.
Aim to find the balance between control and allowing some natural movement. Monsteras are climbers after all!
Do you have any other monstera training tips? Share your experiences in the comments to help other growers. And enjoy that stunning jungle vibes your plant provides.
Attach monstera stems to the plant support (Image credit: Firn / Alamy Stock Photo)
Once you have your plant supports set up and know which stems to support where, you can use plant ties, string, or twine to connect the stems.
This is twine from Walmart. I chose it because I like how it blends in with the moss pole’s color.
You need to take care not to tighten the ties too much, which could cut into the stems of your monstera. A good test is whether you can lift the stem away from its tie. If you arent able to, you will need to loosen it.
Take your time when doing this and make sure to step back to observe your work. You should be pleased with how your monstera looks because it will be seen inside your home. It’s almost like a piece of decor.
Dont forget to check that you havent neglected any lower leaves that are hidden from the light – theyll benefit most from being in a higher position.
Over time, you may notice your monsteras aerial roots attach to the plant support. This is what they use to climb trees in their native jungle habitat, and what youre aiming to recreate by training your monstera.
If there are some unruly monstera aerial roots you dont like the look of, you can cut them away without causing harm to your plant. Simply using sharp scissors (from Walmart) to prune these houseplant roots.
Map out the plant supports you need (Image credit: TorriPhoto / Moment / Getty Images)
Depending on the size of your monstera, and more importantly its spread, you may find you need more than one plant support. This was the case for my monstera, which was spreading in multiple directions.
For this reason, I took some time to map out where I needed plant supports and which stems to attach. I then measured the height needed, making sure to accommodate for future growth.
I needed two plant supports, and so I purchased two of these moss poles from Amazon. I prefer using moss poles because you can bend them to the unique shape of a monsteras structure, plus they increase humidity for houseplants when you wet them.
However, you can also use a houseplant trellis (from Amazon) for a prettier option, or even bamboo plant stakes (from Amazon). The key is to ensure your plant support is a sufficient size for your growing monstera.
How to set up your Monstera for success
FAQ
How do I train my monstera?
No matter what, I promise that if you follow these five easy steps, your monstera will look better: 5 steps to train a monstera up a plant support Prune damaged monstera leaves. Map out the plant supports you need. Position the plant support. Attach monstera stems to the plant support. Water your monstera deeply.
How do I get my monstera to stand up?
Without support, as your plant grows, it will naturally fall over. Plan to stake your plant using a moss pole or trellis.
How do you tame a monstera plant?
It can be hard to keep your monstera deliciosa in check. I use wooden garden stakes to do it. As long as the plant is getting good bright light (mine is in an unobstructed south window, right up in the glass), they’ll begging to get fenestrations (holes in the leaves).
How to train a baby monstera?
Again, just attach the stems with florist wire or soft ties. As those new, flexible stems sprout, gently train them to twist and cling to the structure. You can use additional ties—your Monstera might not want to cooperate in the early stages, but with time and patience, it’ll get there!.