9 Ways to Stake and Support Vining Houseplants

It’s fun to practice creativity when supporting your plants! You don’t have to rush out and buy support, as your home most likely contains all the materials you need to get started. Whether you make a trellis, cage, or pole, you can customize the supports to work in your favor. 

Though poles and trellises are the most obvious options, other supports work too. Bookshelves, frames, and dressers look spectacular with vines growing on them. You’ll turn a boring room into a lush jungle oasis!

Specific clips, usually called “plant clips,” stick to the wall while they hold growing stems. You may also use picture frame clips, nails, or hangers to hold the plants up. Place the stems in the clips’ grooves or set them on the nails’ ends. You may also nail the stems in the wall, though it’s best to avoid nailing thin stems as they can die before they heal their wounds.

Clips are the ideal training method for vining species that grow low to the ground or high up in trees. It doesn’t work well for heavy species with thick growth like monsteras and bushy philodendrons; use stronger supports to keep them upright. 

Picture frames turn simple artwork or photos into stunning pieces on the wall. A good frame can turn a lackluster piece into a centerpiece. Another way to spruce up a frame is to add decorative vines along its length. They’ll sprout leaves that act as ornate additions to the piece. 

Mirrors are also excellent wall pieces you can use to support spreading houseplants. They reflect the plants’ backsides, giving you a viewpoint you’d otherwise never see. Round, square, and rectangular mirrors work well, especially ones with ornate outlines and grooves for plant stalks. 

Empty frames are another option, as they have multiple openings for the houseplants to grow along. The plants act as the centerpieces, and the frames outline their stalks! Pair an empty frame with a stunner like ‘Neon’ pothos or ‘Pink Princess’ philodendron.

Empty bookshelves are begging for plants! Why not have a twining spreader grow along their empty spaces? Philodendron ‘Micans’ leaves blend well with leather book covers—the iridescent leaves shine under indirect sunlight.

Bookshelves work well for supporting a variety of houseplants. Hanging species like the string of turtles, the string of pearls, and spider plants like to drape over the bookshelves’ edges. They’ll look stunning next to your poetry books!

Shelves are ideal for hanging and climbing species because of their size. Another reason they’re perfect for supporting houseplants is their ledges—they hold grow lights while shielding the brightness from your eyes! If your bookshelves are in a dark spot, add a pothos vine and some grow lights to spruce them up. 

Moss poles act as spongy stakes for tropical houseplants. They’re round metal cages with moss or coconut coir inside. The cages have holes that a stem will sprout roots into. This makes them excellent for species with aerial roots like ‘Albo’ monstera or ‘Silver Sword’ philodendron.

Though moss poles work well for free-rooting species, they’re not ideal for all plants. Draping or hanging plants grow better with stakes or trellises than mossy poles. The poles can also be difficult to maintain; you must mist or water them often to avoid letting them dry. Moss is hydrophobic once it dries out, meaning it repels water.

To avoid hydrophobic poles, ensure the moss stays moist and never completely dries. It’s helpful to make a dimple on the top. That way, when you add water, the moisture pools at the top and soaks into the pole. 

Like moss poles, bamboo sticks offer an upright structure for plants to grow on. Bamboo is a lot cheaper than the other options on this list. It’s a budget-friendly choice if you have dozens of houseplants to support. 

Bamboo stakes work well alone, though using them with plant ties helps tremendously. Softly tie the growing limbs to the sticks and they’ll stay upright as they mature. Green plant tape works well, though any binding material will do. You may have to leave the tape on species that don’t support themselves; it’ll stretch as they grow.

Some plants, like monsteras, form aerial roots for support. If they look like they’ll stand without the ties, you may snip the tape off and let the stems stand alone. If they wobble or fall over, tie them up again and leave them for a few weeks or months before another inspection. 

A trellis is the quickest and easiest way to support small or medium houseplants. Simply find one you like, buy it, and stick it in the dirt. Arrange your houseplant to grow in and up it, and it’ll reward you with lush new shoots and buds.

Other trellises you drill into the wall for long-lasting support. Metal frames are common, and for good reason! They last long, and some brands offer many colors and sizes to match your home’s style. 

Instead of purchasing one, make a trellis! With some square wood planks, a handsaw, and some nails, you can easily nail one together to help your specimens thrive. It’s easy to make it the perfect size since you know exactly how big your space is.

Cages are less attractive than the other options, as they’re usually made of metal and look industrial! Tomato cages are the most common, though you may use them however you’d like on whichever plants you choose. Cheap and supportive, cages are perfect for supporting houseplants that grow outdoors for the summer. 

Though cages are ugly, the limbs and foliage act as a cover to hide their metal bars. You won’t even know there’s a cage supporting the plant! You’ll see the metal at first, though it’ll quickly disappear as new growth emerges.

It’s best to opt for a different support structure if you plan to remove the cage after a season or two. Removing metal cages can harm the tender stems, especially if they twine in and out of the bars. Use something less invasive, like a bamboo stick or a trellis.

Who says you can’t jerry-rig support? Wire and twine are cheap materials that function well as holders for vining species. Simply arrange the wires how you like, and twine the budding stems along their length. The benefit of wire is its flexibility; bend it to accommodate your plants as they flourish later in life. 

Add more wires if the plants outgrow the original system. Start by wrapping the wires’ ends around the old structure, then arrange the plant stems in and out of the new supports. If they flop over, twine them up with tape or soft yarn. 

Take care when using wire not to injure yourself. It may seem difficult, but I promise it’s not! I’ve had wires poke me in the face and skin. Wear gloves or goggles if you’re especially worried about puncturing yourself. 

This final method is my favorite of all nine on this list. Rather than finding a wooden stake or metal trellis, I look for other tall houseplants that can support the smaller ones! Monsteras, dragon trees, and dumb canes all reach epic proportions. When happy, they can extend ten feet or taller! 

Vines like pothos love to clamber up trunks and branches. Simply plant them in the same pot, or situate them near the tall specimens in a separate pot. As they extend, arrange them along the other tall plants so they grow up them. 

The ultimate effect is breathtaking! You’ll create a jungle-like centerpiece that evolves as the two species mature. Take it further by planting spillers in the pot that drape out and over the edges.