What is a Moss Pole for Plants?

Moss poles are a new trend among houseplant afficionados and newcomers alike. Philodendrons and Monsteras are the main houseplants that are being grown on a moss pole.

What are the benefits of growing your plants on moss poles? A lot of tropical houseplants, including Monstera, Philodendron, Pothos, and Scindapsus are considered epiphytes which means that in their natural habitat they have symbiotic growth onto other plants to allow to reach the sunlight in the canopy above. Moss poles emulate mossy bark, and are a great way to keep large plants on less floorspace.

Vertical Farming

Moss poles are designed to work with house plants that have aerial roots, and unfortunately, plants that produce foods do not have aerial roots. So, while moss poles are great for many types of houseplants, it’s not a good technique for growing food through vertical farming.

However, if you’re looking to propagate and sell these types of houseplants, then moss poles would be a great way to “farm” these houseplants. There’s certainly a thriving market for houseplants, so growing them in large quantity to sell off a bunch (and maybe keep a few for yourself!)

Materials Needed for a Moss Pole

Fortunately, moss poles do not require many materials to make. All you need are:

• A stake, 4 or 4 feet long is a decent length, but it can be whatever length and width you like (You could try different materials: bamboo, PVC pipe, wooden dowel, or metal rod)
• Sphagnum moss, other forms of moss, or coconut fiber sheet
• Some string: cotton twine, coconut jute, or fishing line

And there’s not even much equipment needed to construct the moss pole. All you need is:

• Gloves
• Scissors
• A container (to soak the moss)

Obviously, bigger plants should be grown on thicker and higher stakes. Monstera and Philodendron plants are pretty large so, they need to have bigger stakes than some of the other air plants that could be grown on moss poles. For the smaller air plants you could even use chopsticks as stakes for mini moss poles, or even have multiple small moss poles in one bucket. Heck, you could even make little moss pole structures like grids and arches.

Instructions:

1. Choose a wooden stake or PVC pipe that is at least 4 feet tall and 2-3 inches in diameter. You can purchase them from a gardening store or use an old broom handle or bamboo stake.
2. Soak sphagnum moss in water for at least 30 minutes until it’s fully hydrated.
3. Start wrapping the moss around the stake, starting from the bottom and working your way up. Be sure to pack the moss tightly and evenly around the stake.
4. Once you reach the top, tie the twine or string tightly around the moss to hold it in place. You can use several pieces of twine to make it more secure.
5. If you want, you can also wrap decorative string or ribbon around the moss pole to add a pop of color.
6. Use the moss pole to support your climbing plant by gently tying the plant to the pole as it grows.

Note: Be sure to keep the sphagnum moss moist to help keep the plant hydrated and healthy. You can mist it with water or place a tray of water at the base of the pole to keep it hydrated.

Benefits of Moss Poles for Plants

Moss poles offer several benefits to plants that require support for their growth. Here are just a few of the benefits of using a moss pole for your indoor plants:

1. Provides support for climbing plants: Climbing plants such as pothos, philodendrons, and monstera require a structure to climb as they grow upward. Moss poles provide a sturdy support for these plants and help them grow in a healthy and aesthetically pleasing way.
2. Increases humidity levels: Moss poles are highly absorbent and retain moisture well. As a result, they help to increase humidity levels around your plant, which is beneficial for plants that require high humidity.
3. Creates a natural environment: Moss poles provide a natural environment for your plants to grow in, which can help to promote their overall health and well-being.
4. Adds visual interest: Moss poles add visual interest to your indoor plant collection and can be a stylish addition to your home decor.

Plants that Thrive with Moss Poles

Many indoor plants benefit from the use of moss poles for support. Here are just a few of the plants that thrive with moss poles:

1. Pothos: Pothos is a popular indoor plant that is known for its vining growth habit. It is a great choice for beginners and thrives with the use of a moss pole for support.
2. Philodendrons: Philodendrons are another popular indoor plant that benefits from the use of a moss pole. They are known for their climbing growth habit and can grow quite tall with the use of a moss pole.