How to Train Trailing Houseplants

Calming visual effects can be achieved by training climbers and vining houseplants into shape. Plants such as philodendrons, monsteras, pothos, ficus, ivy, hoya varieties, and more can be used to create stunning climbing displays.

 

Tips for Trailing Plants 

Whether you decide on how to train your plants using a moss pole or home-built trellis, you’ll need to follow these basic care steps:

  • To support your vining houseplant, choose a trellis or moss pole design suited to your liking.
  • Whenever possible, repot your plant and place the support structure before the soil and plant to avoid damaging its roots.
  • Give your plant room to bend and grow by attaching it to the structure with gentle ties or clips.
Mother Nature Garden Centre-Powell River-How to Train Trailing Houseplants-plant on moss pole

Train It On a Moss Pole 

Calling all houseplant beginners: using a pole is one of the easiest ways to train your plants! The idea is that as your climbing plants grow, the moss pole provides a central supporting structure that prevents them from leaning. Monsteras, philodendrons, and pothos typically respond well to this method. 

To make a moss pole, you will need: 

  1. A wooden dowel 
  2. Sphagnum moss 
  3. Twine, or coated gardening wire 
Mother Nature Garden Centre-Powell River-How to Train Trailing Houseplants-mossify products

How To Build Your Moss Pole

  1. Mark the depth of the pot on the pole after measuring it. This section of the pole should be left bare.
  2. Place twine where the mark is and tie it around. 
  3. Using a handful of moss, cover all around the pole just above the twine. To secure the moss, wrap the twine around it.
  4. Repeat this process for the rest of the pole, wrapping the moss with twine as you make your way up. Check for and fill in any remaining bare patches on the pole.
Mother Nature Garden Centre-Powell River-How to Train Trailing Houseplants-before and after growing on trellis

Train It On a Trellis 

Building your own trellis is very easy and affordable when it comes to training a trailing plant! The best part is that you can make a trellis that is specifically tailored to your needs to help your houseplant thrive. 

To make a DIY trellis, you will need: 

  1. Thin wire or zip ties
  2. Three tall bamboo stakes (Stakes for your trellis should be tall enough to support at least 2/3rd of its finished height once installed)
Mother Nature Garden Centre-Powell River-How to Train Trailing Houseplants-training monstera to climb

How To Build a Trellis 

  1. To begin, lay two bamboo poles flat on the ground to assemble the trellis. Make sure they are positioned at the desired width, keeping them at the outermost edges for a sturdier structure. 
  2. Use zip ties or short pieces of galvanized wire to attach the pieces together. Make sure everything is tight and secure.
  3. Mark places along the height of your bamboo poles to where you want your horizontal supports to go.
  4. Cut your third bamboo pole into lengths that are suited to the horizontal sections.
  5. Zip tie or wire the horizontal pieces into place nice and snug.
  6. Plant your trellis in place and gently work your trailing plant up and into the bamboo support frame.
Mother Nature Garden Centre-Powell River-How to Train Trailing Houseplants-round trellis

There’s no limit to how far or high your houseplants can trail when using these climbing tips; and we’ve got the team to help you. Visit Mother Nature in Powell River, British Columbia for more information on how to train your trailing plants!