Techniques:Moss Poles

Pamela Kock

Vining plants look terrific hanging over the edge of a pot.  But if they have aerial roots, as do Pothos, philodendron, ivies, arrowhead vine, Swiss Cheese plant, and others, they will be even happier growing upward on a moss pole. 

A moss pole is just what its name suggests – a wooden or wire mesh support wrapped in sphagnum moss.  They’re available for purchase in catalogs and garden stores, but you can also make your own.  

The easiest way to make a moss pole is to roll wire mesh – in the length desired – into a tube and secure it together with wire or plant ties.  For support in the pot, cut sticks or bamboo stakes to the pot’s diameter and push them into the wire mesh in an X.  Place the pole support into the pot, then fill the pot halfway with soil covering up the “X”.  Stuff sphagnum moss into the pole, covering the wire mesh completely.  

The next step is to re-pot your plants into the new one, then secure the vines to the moss pole.  Try to place the side of the vines that have aerial roots (they look like little brown stubby growths) against the moss whenever possible.  Secure the vine to the moss pole using paper clips, hairpins, pieces of bent wire, anything that will do the trick.  Don’t worry if your plant clips look unsightly for now.  If you keep the moss moist by misting it daily, the aerial roots will grow into the moss and you’ll no longer need clips for support.  You may still need to use clips to support new growth, though.