How To Make A Moss Pole For Your Indoor Plants

There is a new trend in the world of house plants, moss poles! Today I am going to share with you how to make a moss pole for your indoor plants.

I have a bit of a story about how I came to make a moss pole. It starts with my daughter and her monstera she got from Magnolia Market in Waco, Tx.

I recently helped her move her family from Texas to California and the monstera pot didn’t make the journey very well. It had three legs and by the time we moved into her house two of the legs broke so her husband had to break off the third.

The plant was okay (we shouldn’t have left it in the car overnight in the cold) but there was a huge section that was flopping around. I asked her if I could take a small cutting to propagate into my own plant and she told me to take the whole section that was flopping.

I got the plant back to Ohio and immediately put it in water. That’s my favorite way to propagate plants.

Once it had some nice roots it was time to plant and I needed to make my moss pole. You can buy moss poles but why spend money on something you can easily make yourself?!

*This post contains affiliate links. For more details see my full disclosure.

How to Make a Moss Pole

What is the point of having a moss pole? Many plants, in their native habitat, grow at the base of larger plants or trees. As they grow they attach themselves to these trees. The moss pole mimics that environment allowing the plants to grow taller with the added support.

Step 1: Gather all your materials

The main things you need for this project are a pole, twine or some type of string, and moss. I used sheet moss that I already had on hand.

I also had a dowel left over from another project and twine. So essentially this project cost me nothing, absolutely nothing!

You can use a wooden dowel or a PVC pipe (that’s what most of the store-bought ones use).

There are a few different types of moss you can use. I used sheet moss but sphagnum moss and coconut fiber are also good options.

Step 2: Soak your moss

You need to soak your moss in water for about 15 minutes. I used a bag and a half of sheet moss and just soaked it in a bowl in my kitchen.

Step 3: Attach the moss to your pole

You might want to use household gloves for this part, especially if you are using sphagnum moss, and maybe put something down on the counter because this can get messy. I didn’t, I just cleaned everything thoroughly after I was done.

Make a mark on your pole so you know when to stop. I just placed it into the pot I was going to use and marked where the top of the dirt would be.

Grab a handful of moss, wring it out, and place it on the pole. Wrap the twine around the pole securing the moss to it.

Keep going until you get to your mark where the dirt will start.

Step 4: Put the pole in the pot

Place the pole in the center of the pot and add your soil. Don’t forget to add your plant too!

Keep adding soil until you get to the bottom of the moss. At this point, you will want to secure the plant to the pole.

I didn’t need to do this yet. My plant is fairly small and young so right now it stands upright. But when it gets bigger and more floppy I will use plant tape to attach to the pole and keep it upright.

How to Care for Your Moss Pole

You need to keep your moss pole moist. You can do this by spraying it or pouring water at the top and let it drip down. This will encourage your plant to grow ariel roots and attach itself to the pole.

If your plant does attach to the pole it’s important not to remove them from the pole. This can damage the plant. If your plant outgrows the pole it’s best to make the pole longer by attaching to the top of the pole, essentially extending the pole.

When you repot the plant make sure you bring the moss pole along for the ride to the new pot.

Frequently Asked Questions on How to Make a Moss Pole

What is an alternative to a moss pole?

Bamboo stakes and wire rings are a great alternative to a moss pole.

What is better, coco coir or moss?

Moss is better only because it retains moisture better than coco coir.

Are moss poles worth it?

Moss poles add support and give your plant extra micronutrients. They also help your plant grow bigger leaves. So yes, they are worth the investment of either your time making one or your money by purchasing one.

Does my monstera need a moss pole?

You don’t need to use a moss pole with a monstera but it is a great way to add support as the plant grows. It also mimics the natural habitat of the monstera.

Other plant posts you might like:

• How to Propagate a Snake Plant
• The Ultimate Guide to Snake Plant Care
• When is the Worst Time to Water Plants
• 30 Best Pet-Friendly Plants that are Safe for Cats and Dogs
• 31 Best Houseplants for Beginners
• 14 Plants and Trees that Repel Mosquitos
• 13 Best Deer Resistant Plants and Flowers

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