How to support plant growth

Some plants will independently stand on their own, while others will need your help.

Tropical species like Monstera, Philodendrons and other vining plants grow up trees in their native habitats, using moss and debris in tree bark as a medium for their aerial roots to grow into. In the absence of having a rainforest in your home, you can rely on tools like totems and trellises to give your green gang the support they need to keep growing. Not sure how to get started setting these up? Read on!

Moss Totem Pole

Moss totem poles are the best tool for growth support. They blend in nicely with your plant and promote growth by simulating the moss-and-tree-bark system your plant would naturally grow on in their native outdoor habitat. They’re cylindrical, available in different sizes, and made with a grid mesh filled with a moisture-wicking substrate.

Best for Monstera Deliciosa, Philodendron Jose Buono and any plants that you want to grow huge mature leaves!

WE RECOMMEND:

The Propstick Long from Grow Vertical
Leafy Moss Pole by Foliata

HOW TO SET IT UP:

Some totems will come with the supplies you need; in case you go DIY, follow these steps:

1. Step 1: Go supply shopping! You’ll need plastic or metal grid mesh, zip ties or wire, and sphagnum moss.
2. Step 2: Lie the grid mesh down flat and cover it with damp moss. You want it to be reasonably compact.
3. Step 3: Use the zip ties or wire to join the grid mesh and create a seal around the moss, make sure it’s wrapped tightly.
4. Step 4: Start with an empty pot. Secure the totem to your plastic nursery pot. If you’re using a ceramic or decorative pot, you can zip tie the totem to a bamboo stake to ensure it doesn’t fall over. Place the totem at the back of your pot, rested against the edge for support.
5. Step 5: You can now plant your plant into the soil directly in front of the totem, and secure your plant’s stem to the totem with wire.

Alternatively, download the free WIllow app and check out or video step-by-step guide. 

Trellis

The classic trellis was originally designed for ornamental flowering plants in the garden and for growing vining fruits and vegetables like jasmine, tomatoes and cucumber. With the houseplant boom, they’ve become a popular support tool for tropical vining plants to grow upwards, rather than trailing down.

Best for Heart Leaf Philodendrons, Monstera standleyana and any tropical vines with thin stems.

The trellis won’t promote extra growth the same way totem poles do, but they do take some of the weight off your vines. 

WE RECOMMEND:

Ezy’s Green Cage Plant at Bunnings Warehouse
U-Shaped Trellis by Foliata
Gold Wavy Trellis by Cheeky Plant Co.

HOW TO SET IT UP:

1. Step 1: Make sure you’ve got some space in the soil around your plant.
2. Step 2: Plant the trellis into your plant pot, ensuring it’s evenly circled around the base of your plants stem.
3. Step 3: lift your plants vines and attach them around the circumference of the trellis with wire, you’ll have to keep attaching the vines as they grow to keep them from falling back down again.

Stakes

We’re talking stakes, not steaks! Plant stakes serve as vertical support for your indoor plant and are typically made of bamboo or wood. Bamboo stakes look great, but can be more fragile whereas wooden stakes are sturdier and work to support heavier plants. Wood also has texture which aerial roots can still cling on to.

Best for any vining plants! The world is your oyster here, as long as you can secure the stake in the plant’s soil to prevent it tipping over.

Recently, some suppliers have started producing flexible geometric shaped stakes. These won’t help with assisted growing but look fun and do provide vertical-only support for your plants. 

WE RECOMMEND:

Wave I Plant Stake by Secateur Me Baby

HOW TO SET IT UP:

1. Step 1: Stick the stake deep into the plant’s soil and make sure to compact soil around it to keep it in place.
2. Step 2: Lift your plant up gently and use twine or wire to attach it to the stake, make sure to only attach the thick stems and not the petioles (skinny stems which attach leaves to the main stem.)

Note: These work best in deeper, larger pots as you need the soil to stop your stake from falling over.