From my perspective as a Monstera deliciosa, climbing is not a hobby; it is my deepest instinct. In my native jungle habitat, I am an epiphyte. I do not grow in soil on the forest floor. Instead, I begin my life there and immediately seek out a tall tree trunk to ascend. I do this to reach the brighter sunlight filtering through the canopy above. My aerial roots are not just for show; they are my climbing gear and secondary lifeline. They reach out, searching for a stable surface to grip and absorb moisture and nutrients from the humid air and the mossy bark of my host tree. To train me is to work with my nature, not against it. Providing me with a structure to climb satisfies this primal need and allows me to mature properly, developing the large, fenestrated leaves you desire.
You must choose a support that mimics the texture of a tree trunk. A smooth, slippery pole is confusing and difficult for my aerial roots to grasp. I greatly prefer a rough, porous material like a moss pole or a wood plank. A moss pole is ideal because it retains moisture, which encourages my aerial roots to attach and even penetrate the pole, drawing additional water and nutrients, just as I would in the wild. When introducing the pole, place it firmly into the pot's soil, close to my main stem. Be gentle but firm as you guide my stems towards it. You may use soft plant ties, strips of cloth, or velcro loops to loosely secure me to the pole initially. Do not tie me too tightly, as this can damage my stem and restrict my growth. The support should feel like a guide, not a constraint.
My attachment is a process that requires patience and the right conditions. The most crucial element you can provide is humidity. Regularly misting my moss pole is like sending me an invitation to climb. A humidifier nearby is even better, replicating the moist jungle air I crave. This humidity signals to my aerial roots that the pole is a viable source of sustenance and a worthy anchor. As I grow, you must continue to guide my new growth onto the pole. Gently weave the longer stems through or around the support, and always position the front of my plant (the side with the emerging leaves) facing the light source. This ensures I grow evenly and don't lean away from my support towards the sun.
When you provide me with a structure to climb, you are directly triggering my mature growth phase. A Monstera trapped in a pot without support will remain in a juvenile state, often becoming leggy as it stretches for light, with smaller leaves and far fewer splits. By allowing me to climb, you tell me I have reached a stable host tree and can now invest energy into growing larger. My stems will shorten between leaves (internodal spacing), and the new leaves will emerge progressively larger and with more dramatic fenestrations and inner holes. Furthermore, a vertically growing plant takes up less horizontal space, allowing you to appreciate my full, lush form without a sprawling, chaotic appearance. I can focus my energy on magnificent upward growth instead of sprawling outward in search of something to hold onto.
