Easy DIY Moss Pole (Perfect for Monsteras & Other Houseplants)

Last Updated: December 27, 2022 References

Vining plants make a beautiful addition to any home. As they grow bigger, they often need extra support, and a moss pole can be the perfect solution. A moss pole gives vining plants something to grab onto, allowing them to grow taller and healthier over time. Unlike bare rods, moss poles blend into your garden and look natural. They’re also super easy to make. Here’s our step-by-step guide to making a moss pole for your houseplant or home garden.

1

Use a wooden dowel to stake small plants.

A wooden dowel is perfect for light, small houseplants. Choose a dowel roughly 1 inch thick and 2-3 feet long. Make sure your dowel is sturdy since it’ll need to support your plant over time.^{[1]
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- Thicker dowels are sturdier but heavy. If you want something for larger plants, see the next step.

2

Choose PVC pipe to stake large or heavy plants.

PVC pipes are lightweight but strong enough to support heavy plants. Opt for a piece of pipe about 2-3 inches thick and 3-4 feet long. Use PVC if you expect your plant to grow large over time.^{[2]
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3

Put on rubber gloves.

Gloves protect your hands from fungal infections. Wear rubber gloves for the next steps, and whenever you’re gardening.^{[3]
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- Use rubber gardening gloves if you have them. If not, use kitchen gloves.

4

Soak some Sphagnum moss in a tub of water for 15 minutes.

Squeeze the soaked moss to drain excess liquid and set it aside. Your moss should be moist but not dripping wet. The moist moss will supply water to your plant’s vines.^{[4]
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- Moss expands as it absorbs water, so make sure your tub has extra room.

5

Cut a piece of string and tie it to the stake.

Use 2-3 feet of string for a dowel, or 3-5 feet for PVC. Take the end of your string and tie it to one end of the stake, making a tight knot. ^{[5]
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- Only use a small amount of string for the knot. You'll need the remaining length of string to secure the moss to the pole.
- You can always cut more string later if needed.

6

Use the string to secure the moss to the stake.

Press the moss onto the pole starting where the string is tied. Wind the string around the moss in a spiral pattern to prevent the moss from falling off. Keep adding moss down the length of the pole, securing it with string. Leave the bottom 6-12 inches of the stake with no moss.^{[6]
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- If your plant is small, leave 6 inches with no moss. Leave about 12 inches for large plants.
- If you run out of string while adding moss, cut another piece and continue where you left off.

7

Add the moss pole to your planter.

Shove your moss pole into the soil near the middle of your plant. ^{[7]
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- Be careful not to damage the plant's roots.

8

Wrap vines with aerial roots around the moss pole.

The vines will slowly attach themselves to the moss. Gently press the roots into the moss as you go.^{[8]
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- If the vines won't stick, you can gently tie them in place. Aerial roots will grow from the vines and penetrate the moss.^{[9]
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- The vines will wrap around the pole as they grow.^{[10]
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9

Keep your moss pole moist.

Spritz the moss with water 2-3 times a week.^{[11]
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Research source} Alternatively, gently pour water over the top of the pole, letting it seep down into the moss. The vines will draw water from the moss, so don’t let it get too dry.^{[12]
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