Do you have a climbing plant in your home that looks sparse and straggly, not living up to your indoor jungle dreams? Don’t worry, we’ve all been there. When you first get a climbing plant, you envision lush greenery cascading from your shelves or climbing up your walls. But sometimes, even months later, they still look thin and unimpressive.
However, don’t give up just yet. Besides a strict watering schedule and patience, there’s another secret to turning those climbers into stunning showpieces: proper support. Using a trellis or vine wire doesn’t just keep them organized, it helps them grow fuller foliage.
Here’s how it works: Plants like pothos and philodendrons naturally look for something to grasp onto. By providing them with support, they will produce more roots at those points or wrap their vines around the structure, continuing to climb in that direction. By training them along a wire frame or trellis, you give them more opportunities to grow and expand in the direction you desire.
How to set up the perfect potted plant support system
Setting up plant supports is easy. You can find vine wire coils at your local garden center to customize your support for your specific plant and space. For smaller plants in smaller pots, create a tent or teepee shape with the wires anchored in the soil and connected above the plant. If you want your plant to hang, create a horizontal grid for it to stretch across and hang down like a canopy.
Timing is crucial when supporting climbers. The younger the plant when you provide support, the easier it will be to train them in a specific direction. However, older plants can still be trained, just be patient and gentle to avoid damaging any stems. Check your supports regularly as plants grow to prevent stems from getting constricted by wires, giving them room to breathe and grow freely.
