Supporting a cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa) is crucial for its growth and to prevent it from becoming unwieldy and top-heavy. Since they are natural climbers, providing proper support mimics their natural environment. Here’s how to effectively support your cheese plant:
1. Why Support is Important
- Natural Climbing Habit: Cheese plants naturally climb trees in their native environment. Providing support allows them to grow upwards, stimulating larger leaf development and aerial root growth.
- Preventing Top-Heaviness: As cheese plants mature, their leaves become large and heavy. Without support, the stems can bend, break, or cause the plant to topple over.
- Encouraging Aerial Root Attachment: Support structures, especially moss poles, encourage aerial roots to attach and draw moisture and nutrients, leading to healthier growth.
2. Support Options
Here are a few popular options for supporting your cheese plant:
- Moss Pole: This is the most popular and effective option.
- How it works: A moss pole is a pole wrapped in sphagnum moss. The aerial roots of the cheese plant attach to the moist moss, providing support and absorbing moisture and nutrients.
- Benefits: Encourages natural growth patterns, provides moisture, and is aesthetically pleasing.
- Maintenance: Keep the moss moist by regularly spraying it with water.
- Coco Coir Pole: Similar to a moss pole but wrapped in coco coir.
- Benefits: Provides a natural look and good support.
- Maintenance: Requires less frequent watering than a moss pole.
- Bamboo Stakes or Trellis: A simpler and less expensive option.
- How it works: Several bamboo stakes are inserted into the pot around the plant, and the stems are gently tied to the stakes for support. A small trellis can also achieve a similar effect.
- Benefits: Cost-effective and easy to install.
- Limitations: Less effective for mature plants with heavy foliage and doesn't offer the moisture retention of a moss pole.
- Wooden Plank: Provides a sturdy, if less natural, support.
3. How to Install Support
- Choose the Right Size: Select a support structure appropriate for the plant's current size and anticipated growth.
- Placement: Gently insert the support into the pot, being careful not to damage the plant's roots. Position it close to the main stem.
- Attach the Plant: Use soft plant ties, garden twine, or velcro tape to gently secure the stems to the support. Avoid tying too tightly, which can damage the stems.
- Encourage Aerial Root Attachment (Moss Pole/Coco Coir Pole): Mist the moss or coco coir regularly to encourage the aerial roots to attach. You can also gently guide the aerial roots towards the support.
- Repotting: When repotting your cheese plant, you can install a larger support structure to accommodate future growth.
4. Ongoing Maintenance
- Regularly check the ties: Ensure they are not too tight and are still providing adequate support.
- Maintain moisture: Keep the moss pole or coco coir pole consistently moist by spraying it with water.
- Adjust as needed: As the plant grows, you may need to adjust the ties or add additional support.
By providing the right support, you can encourage healthy growth, prevent damage, and showcase the beauty of your cheese plant.
