How to Train Your Monstera to Climb: My Top 10 Secrets
Let’s be real—Monsteras are basically the drama queens of the plant world. Give them a pole, and they’ll act like they’re auditioning for a leafy version of Cirque du Soleil. But honestly, watching those gorgeous, holey leaves climb up like they own the place? Kinda magical.
So if your Monstera is looking more like a lazy couch potato than a climbing diva, don’t worry—I’ve got you covered. Here are my top 10 secrets to training your Monstera to climb like a pro (or at least not embarrass you in front of your other plants 😅).
Secret #1: Understand What Your Monstera Wants (Yes, It Has Needs)
First off, Monsteras are climbers in the wild. In the rainforests of Central America, they naturally scale up trees in search of more light. So if your plant is sprawling sideways or sulking in the corner, that’s not laziness—it’s confusion.
Here’s the truth:
🌿 Your Monstera wants to climb.
💡 It just doesn’t know how… yet.
Secret #2: Choose the Right Support Pole
No offense, but sticking a random chopstick in the soil won’t cut it. You need something sturdy, tall, and climb-friendly. Think of it like setting up a jungle gym for your leafy child.
Here are your top support options:
- Moss pole – Classic, holds moisture, and looks super jungly.
- Coco coir pole – Great grip, less messy than moss.
- Trellis or stake – More structured and decorative.
- Wall-mounted hook + string system – Modern and space-saving.
👉 IMO, moss poles give that real “rainforest vibe” and encourage rooting like crazy.
Secret #3: Start Early (Don’t Wait Till It’s a Jungle Mess)
You know when you let your hair grow wild and then decide to “just brush it”? Yeah. Same thing happens with Monstera vines if you wait too long.
Best time to train?
When the plant is still young or has just started sending out aerial roots and long vines.
Why?
Because redirecting a wild, heavy Monstera is like trying to bend a baguette. It’ll snap.
Secret #4: Give Those Aerial Roots Something to Hold
Ever notice those long, weird spaghetti-like things growing out of your Monstera? Those are aerial roots, and they’re literally looking for something to grab onto.
Pro tip:
Spritz the support pole with water regularly. Moist poles encourage roots to latch on and grow stronger.
Also, gently press aerial roots against the pole using:
- Plant ties (velcro ones are great)
- Soft twine or jute
- Green floral tape
Whatever you do, don’t zip-tie it like it’s going to plant jail. Be gentle. 🙂
Secret #5: Light It Right (Or Prepare for a Diva Fit)
Light = growth direction. Monsteras always lean toward the brightest source. So if yours is flopping sideways, guess what? It’s chasing the window like a plant paparazzi.
Fix it like this:
- Place the pole in the direction of the light source.
- Rotate the plant every couple weeks to balance growth.
- If you’ve got weak natural light, consider a grow light. Yes, your Monstera will literally glow up.
Secret #6: Prune with Purpose
Monsteras grow fast. Like, blink-and-it’s-leaning-over-your-coffee-table fast. Training it to climb means you take control of the shape.
Here’s how I prune like a boss:
- Cut just above a node (where a leaf + root meet).
- Use clean, sharp shears (not the kitchen scissors… come on).
- Always remove yellowing, damaged, or awkwardly-placed leaves.
Oh—and don’t toss the cuttings! You can propagate them and make baby Monsteras .
Secret #7: Use the “Tie & Climb” Method
Alright, this one’s key: You don’t just hope your Monstera climbs—you help it.
Here’s the easy method I swear by:
- Gently tie the stem to your support using soft ties.
- Wrap or position aerial roots around the pole.
- Spray the pole every 2–3 days to keep things moist.
- Repeat every few inches as it grows upward.
Think of it like plant yoga—slow, steady, and surprisingly satisfying.
Secret #8: Repot Like a Climbing Coach
Monsteras get BIG. If your pot is too small, forget climbing—it won’t even grow right.
Here’s the rule:
Repot every 1–2 years or when you see roots circling the pot edge.
Use a chunky, well-draining mix like:
- 1 part potting soil
- 1 part orchid bark
- 1 part perlite
- (Optional: a dash of worm castings for that VIP soil vibe)
Repot with the support pole already in place. That way, you’re not spearing roots later on.
Secret #9: Fertilize for Climbing Fuel
Want bigger, stronger leaves and faster growth? Your Monstera needs snacks.
I feed mine monthly during spring and summer with:
- A balanced liquid fertilizer (like 20-20-20)
- Or a slow-release indoor plant food
Just don’t overdo it. Too much fertilizer = sad, crispy roots. And nobody likes a crispy Monstera. :/
Secret #10: Be Patient—It’s a Climber, Not a Sprinter
Look, I get it. We want dramatic transformation yesterday. But plants move at plant speed, which is somewhere between “snail” and “grandpa on a Sunday stroll.”
So don’t freak out if your Monstera isn’t climbing like Spiderman right away.
Just stick with it:
- Check ties monthly.
- Water and feed consistently.
- Celebrate every new leaf like it’s a newborn baby. (No shame.)
Before you know it, you’ll have a vertical jungle wall that would make any plant lover cry happy tears.
Quick Recap: TL;DR 🌿
Here’s a lightning-round list of what we just covered:
- Monsteras are natural climbers — they just need a nudge.
- Use a strong support pole (moss or coco coir are great picks).
- Train early before things get wild.
- Give aerial roots something to cling to and keep it moist.
- Light placement matters—let it guide the climb.
- Prune smart and use cuttings for propagation.
- Tie stems gently using the “tie & climb” technique.
- Repot when needed with a chunky soil mix.
- Feed regularly for stronger growth.
- Stay chill and trust the process.
Final Thought
Training a Monstera to climb isn’t rocket science—but it does take some love, patience, and a few plant-parent hacks. And once those dramatic, split leaves start reaching for the sky? Total jungle-vibes heaven.
So grab that moss pole, mist it like you mean it, and let your Monstera live its best vertical life. 🌿💪
