My Monstera Needs a New Trellis: Tips for Choosing the Right Monstera Trellis

Not all Monsteras are created equally. Some, like my Monstera deliciosa, can be roughly the size of a Midwestern teenager, while others, like the Monstera adansonii in my kitchen, are content to delicately and politely meander their way up a wall, leaving plenty of space for you to continue living your life around them.

If you're looking for a trellis for one of the more delicate vining Monstera varieties, like a Monstera adansonii, Monstera acuminata, or Monstera dubia, you'll want something that's easy to climb, but it doesn't necessarily need to support a lot of weight. Bulkier Monsteras like Monstera deliciosa and Monstera lechleriana will need more stability and a stronger trellis to support their weight as they grow.

I like the look of trellises made from natural materials and I like how easy they are for plants to climb, but they tend to not last as long as plastic or metal trellises. Below are a few materials your trellis can be made of along with some of their benefits and downsides. Choose the material that works best for you.

As I've already confessed, I can't even trust myself to readjust my trellis and re-secure my plant after it shifted, so I know I won't want to mess with a complicated modular trellis that has a million tiny connectors that need to be added as your plant grows. If you're unbothered by the idea of something like that, more power to you, but I prefer to stick with something that's easy to expand and straightforward to set up.

I've also found that trellises that require regular maintenance—like polishing, extensive cleaning, or daily misting, aren't for me. I'll keep my plants watered and happy, but if I'm supposed to keep my moss pole at a consistent humidity level, I know it won't be long before I forget and let it dry out.

Every plant is a little bit different, and the most important thing to do is to choose your trellis with your specific Monstera in mind. If you've got one very long vine, you might want to consider a wall trellis, but if you've got a top-heavy plant, you'll want plenty of support starting at its base.

Like most plants, Monsteras will grow toward the light, which may mean your plants could start to lean if its light source is too far away. Grow lights can obviously help with this, but you can also trellis your plant in such a way that encourages it to grow upward while simultaneously preventing it from toppling over.

For some people, this might be the first thing you thought of—for others, it will be the last. While a cute trellis won't do you any good if it's too small, large, complicated, or flimsy for your particular plant, once you've narrowed down your choices based on your plant's needs, it's worth considering what your trellis will look like in your space.

My Monstera adansonii has plenty of room to grow up this modular trellis - Photo by Lauren Vigdor

A modular trellis like The Propagator or The Weaver would be my top choice for most Monsteras. In fact, my Monstera adansonii is currently being supported by The Weaver, and it's perfect. It looks great, and the large openings are the perfect size to weave vines through without damaging them.

I love how simple it is to add on to these trellises—they attach with two bamboo connectors between each piece and can grow as tall as you need them. I also love that they're made from eco-friendly, sustainable bamboo. They're sturdy, fit with a variety of decor styles, and look more polished than a moss or coco coir pole.

As I've previously stated, moss poles make great Monstera trellises because they actually allow the plant's aerial roots to absorb moisture and nutrients through them. The problem is that you need to keep them moist at all times for them to work as effectively as they can. Not only is that tedious and time-consuming, but it also sometimes causes them to smell a bit. That being said, they're still one of my favorite ways to support a Monstera because of the benefits they provide and the fact that they most closely simulate the plant's natural environment.

I love these easily adjustable wall trellises… Photo by Lauren Vigdor

…and so does my pothos! Photo by Lauren Vigdor

Wall trellises like these Wild Flower Trellises are often overlooked for Monsteras because they aren’t the best option for Monstera deliciosa, the most popular variety. That being said, they’re an excellent choice for lighter vining Monsteras like adansonii. You can use them to train your vine up walls and over doorways, turning your home into an Instagram-worthy plant sanctuary.

Now that you’ve chosen your trellis, let’s cover how to use it!

If you have a trellis with stakes, push it gently into the soil at the base of your plant, taking care to avoid damaging the plant’s main stem, vines, and roots. If you’re growing a variety like Monstera deliciosa, it’s helpful to place the trellis or pole in front of the plant rather than behind it so that the main stem can “hug” the plant as shown in the image below.

Some trellises sit on flat bases that are meant to be buried in the plant’s soil. The only way to position these without risking damaging your plant is to do it while repotting your plant. It might sound like a lot of work, but these trellises are the most stable and secure. Plus, you won’t run the risk of accidentally stabbing through a root with your trellis stake.

Start by gently tipping your Monstera out of its pot over a sheet or tarp. (Note: This is a good time to inspect your Monstera’s roots for signs of disease, pests, or overcrowding.)

If you plan on using the same pot for your Monstera, fill it about ⅓ of the way full with good potting soil. Now might also be a great time to give your plant a little more space. If it is, fill your new pot ⅓ of the way full with soil instead—generally, you want a pot that’s at least ⅓ as wide as your plant.

Position your Monstera in the center of the pot, ensuring that it’s straight and that you have room to cover it with at least two inches of soil. While holding your plant in place (be sure to support it so that it doesn’t topple over and break!), gently work your trellis into the soil at the base of the plant—don’t worry, we’ll secure it with more soil in a moment—just make sure that it’s straight and in the right position. Adjust both the trellis and the plant if need be, then fill in around both with more potting soil.

Placing your trellis in front of your Monstera’s main stem allows the leaves and aerial roots to wrap around it, adding further support. - Photo by Lauren Vigdor

Wall trellises are among the easiest to position since you’re not going anywhere near your plant’s roots. Even so, I like to use wall trellises that are easy to remove and reposition (like these Wild Flower Trellises) just in case.

I like to start by placing my plant on the surface where I intend to keep it, then gently lifting its vines along the wall, securing them with wall trellises as I go. It’s important to be gentle. Let the vine fall and curve where it wants to naturally—if you try to force it into position, you could accidentally snap it.

Once your trellis and your plant are in position, you may need to secure your plant to the trellis to encourage it to start climbing. Delicate vines can be gently woven between wall trellises and through the holes in staked and flat-bottomed trellises, whereas Monsteras with thicker stems will most likely need to be secured with ties or twine. Once you’ve got the main stem of your Monstera deliciosa “hugging” your trellis, for example, it’s a good idea to keep it in place by gently securing it at intervals up the trellis with string, velcro strips, or flexible plant ties.

How do I Tame my Monstera?

Giving Monsteras something to climb will encourage them to grow upwards rather than out in all directions. You can also prune your Monstera by using a clean knife or shears to shape the plant, cutting off sections above a leaf node. Just be sure you don’t remove more than ⅓ of the plant, or you run the risk of sending it into shock.

How do I get more Fenestrations on my Monstera?

If your Monstera is more than three years old and still doesn’t have fenestrations (the holes in its leaves), there are a few things you can do to encourage them. Make sure that your Monstera is receiving adequate light and water and give it a trellis to climb.

How do I Make my Monstera Climb Indoors?

Monsteras will naturally use their aerial roots to climb when given a trellis or a moss pole, but if you want to give your plant a head start, you can secure the main stem of your Monstera to the trellis with ties or gently thread delicate Monstera vines through the holes in your trellis.

If you want to encourage your Monstera to grow to its full potential, you must give it something to climb. I’m ready to give my Monstera something with multiple stakes to prevent it from leaning, and I want something more aesthetically pleasing, so I’ll be replacing its coconut coir pole with a pretty modular trellis. Paying attention to my tips for choosing the right Monstera trellis will help you decide on your Monstera’s needs.