I bought a Philodendron after hearing all the buzz about them. Everything was fine during the first few years, but soon my Philodendron started leaning.
When I inquired about this situation to one of my gardener friends, he suggested I use Moss Poles for my Philodendrons.
Surprisingly, after using Moss Poles as support, my Philodendron was upright and restored to normal.
Do not worry if you experience the same issue; I am here to help you improve the appearance of your plants.
Continue reading to learn more about using the Moss Pole for your Philodendrons.
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Does my Philodendron Need a Moss Pole?
With nearly 500 species worldwide, Philodendron is one of the most popular indoor plants.
Thanks to the easy care requirements and low-maintenance nature of Philodendrons, people prefer to have this plant in their home garden.
Philodendrons climb tall trees in their natural habitat to spread better.
If you think of growing your plant upwards and not sideways, you must use Moss Poles to let them climb.
Introducing your Philodendron to Moss Poles will let you train your plant on its growth habit.
These plants will have an epiphytic growth habit once they have Moss Poles’ support.
Moss Poles will not only boost the growth of your Philodendron but will also provide better support to the growing aerial roots.
Look below for the benefits of growing your Philodendrons in Moss Poles.
- This is the best approach to use if you want your plant to grow upward.
- Growing Philodendrons on Moss Poles provide extra support in case they are top-heavy.
- Moss Poles also sometimes provide the required nutrients to the growing plant.
- Extra support will provide your plant with the feel of its natural habitat.
- Plants grown on Moss Poles have bigger and more prominent leaves.
- This phenomenon helps you to provide controlled growth to your plant, and the surrounding will also look cleaner.
Remember, Philodendrons can be beneficial as well as toxic to you and your pets.
What Type of Moss Pole is Good for Philodendrons?
By now, you must have had a basic idea about how the Moss Poles help in the better growth of a vining plant. The next step is choosing a perfect Moss Pole for your Philodendron.
You can buy Moss Pole online, or if you are really into it, you can prepare one at home by yourself.
Let us look at both categories so you can make an informed decision.
Commercial Moss Poles
You can find Moss Poles for your Philodendron online on different buying sites.
Buying these Poles online lets you choose the right size, color, and materials suitable for your Philodendron.
To save you the trouble, I have prepared a list of Moss Poles from Amazon that you can use for your Philodendron below.
1. BUYTER Water Moss Pole
Buyter water Moss Pole is a beautifully designed Pole for the better growth of the Philodendron plant.
It is made of transparent white or black plastic material and is suitable for various indoor plants.
Pros
- You can fill it with materials like Sphagnum moss, Black soil, Gravel, and normal soil.
- The height is adjustable and strong enough to support the plant and its aerial roots.
- Moss rods can support and strengthen plants’ rhizomes.
2. Mosser Lee ML1010H Totem Pole
The Mosser Lee Pole is an easy-to-fit Moss Pole with supportive holding pins. It is ideal for all indoor climbing plants.
This long-fibered, sphagnum moss-filled totem won’t damage the plant’s roots when installed.
Pros
- The extendable Pole can support great lengths.
- It comes with seven pins that can hold the plants in place.
Cons
- People find it hard to add extensions and make them hold greater weight.
- Some products come with rust and spider mites.
3. N/A/A Moss Pole
N/A/A Moss Pole is a natural Moss Pole made from coconut shells. The natural Moss Pole provides the Philodendron with strong vertical support and supplies it with extra nutrients.
Pros
- Coconut shells are environment-friendly and durable, making them perfect for plant support.
- It is extendible so that it can support the growth of plants.
4. Moss Pole by Rootprep
Rootprep Moss Poles are perfect Poles for growing your Philodendron naturally.
They are made of natural grade coco coir fiber, which aids in maintaining moisture and nutrition for the plants’ healthier and organic growth.
Pros
- Better provision of stacking the Poles so that the plant gets support no matter how much it grows.
- This sturdy Moss Pole is easy to install and has a six-month warranty.
DIY Philodendron Moss Poles
Some gardeners find it better to prepare the Moss Poles at home as they can customize them according to their needs.
DIY Moss Poles may take a lot of your time, but they compensate for that by saving you money.
To embark on the journey, you must gather a PVC pipe, rod or a bamboo, sphagnum moss, string, scissors and gardening gloves.
After you have gathered the materials, it is time to assemble them and make a Moss Pole.
Follow the steps below to ensure you have the perfect Moss Pole for your Philodendron.
Step 1: Prepare the Moss Pole
Before starting, soak the Sphagnum Moss in water for about 20 minutes. After that, remove the excess water to keep the Moss damp.
- Take the PVC pipe or bamboo and attach the string to one end of the pipe.
- Place some Moss on the pipe and slowly pull the string over it.
- Surround the pipe with Moss and cover them with string over and over.
- Repeat the above processes until the whole stick is covered in Moss and strings.
- Trim away the excess part of the Moss that is sticking out.
Step 2: Place the Pole in the Pot
- Take a fresh pot and place the Moss Pole there.
- Cover the pot with soil and make sure the Pole is standing firmly.
- Place the plant and ensure it is close enough to the stand to support it.
- Please do not force the plant and let it take the support naturally.
You can prepare more Moss Poles following the above method and add them to the previous Moss Pole when necessary.
People also prefer using zip ties instead of strings as they are durable and have more surface area than strings.
How do you Train a Philodendron to Climb a Moss Pole?
Training your Philodendron to climb a Moss Pole is much more complicated than it sounds.
Philodendron has weak stems, so you must be extra careful to avoid breaking the stem.
Certain varieties of Philodendron grow best in Moss Poles. Look for them below.
- Philodendron Hastatum
- Philodendron Brasil
- Philodendron Rugosum
- Philodendron Moonlight
- Philodendron Birkin
- Philodendron hederaceum
Follow the steps below to make sure you do not mess it up.
- When your plant is big enough, attach the stems to the Pole using string or U-shaped pins.
- After the plant grows certain vines/stems, you can wrap them around the Pole.
- Continue the binding process until the plant itself grows on the Pole.
- When the plant outgrows the stake, you need to add to the previous Pole so that the flow is not broken.
- Mist your plant frequently to promote more rooting and binding.
Make sure you be extra gentle with the thin stems and vines of the Philodendron plant so as not to break them.
Prune your plant regularly, and look for new growth. New vine growth that isn’t clinging to the Pole tightly should be trimmed or secured to the plant.
You could take a deep sigh of relief when your plant starts growing aerial roots. The growth ensures that your Philodendron is growing on its own accord.
Editor’s Note
Moss Poles are like totem Poles but for plants. They assist the plant’s growth and give them a cleaner appearance.
Many Philodendrons need no support to grow, but if you guide them to grow on Moss Poles, they may grow better.
After reading this article, you may have learned how to use Moss Poles for plants; apply that knowledge to get the most from your plant.
Good Luck!
