From my perspective, as a Monstera deliciosa, climbing is not a trick to be learned; it is my fundamental nature. In my native jungle habitat, I am a hemiepiphyte. This means I begin my life on the forest floor, but my ultimate goal is to reach the sunlight high in the canopy. To do this, I must climb. I do not have a strong, self-supporting trunk. Instead, I produce a specialized organ called an aerial root. These roots are not for absorbing nutrients from the soil; their primary function is to anchor me to the rough bark of a tree, allowing me to grow vertically towards the light that fuels my growth.
When you provide me with a moss pole, coco coir pole, or even a plank of wood, you are not giving me a piece of equipment. You are giving me a surrogate tree. The texture of these materials is crucial. Unlike a smooth, slippery stake, a porous and slightly rough surface mimics tree bark perfectly. It allows my aerial roots to easily latch on and penetrate the material. When they sense this ideal surface, they instinctively know to grip it tightly, securing me in place. This support makes me feel stable and safe, which directly translates to more vigorous growth.
You cannot force me to climb, but you can guide me. The most effective method is to position my main stem (or stems) gently against the base of the support. Do not pull me tightly or constrict my stem, as this can damage me. Use soft plant ties, strips of fabric, or velcro loops to loosely secure me to the pole. The key word is "loosely"; I need room to grow and expand. As I produce new leaves, my stem will naturally grow taller. Regularly check these ties and adjust them to ensure they do not cut into my flesh as I thicken over time.
My aerial roots are the key to this entire process. For them to be effective and actively seek out the pole, they need encouragement. They thrive in high humidity. You can help by regularly misting the support pole, especially if it is made of moss or coir. This moisture signals to my roots that this is a viable and desirable surface to attach to. You can also gently direct any long aerial roots towards the pole yourself. When they make contact with the damp, rough surface, their programming will take over, and they will begin to fasten themselves, drawing additional moisture and stability from the pole.
When I am properly supported and allowed to climb, my entire physiology changes. I feel secure and can channel my energy into upward growth rather than reinforcing my stem to stay upright. You will notice my leaves becoming larger and more mature more quickly. A mature Monstera leaf is deeply fenestrated (split) and may develop inner perforations, which is a sign of a very happy, climbing plant. This is the form I am meant to take. Without support, I will remain bushy, with smaller leaves, and I may sprawl awkwardly as I search in vain for something to grasp.
