How To Support Money Plant: 7 Expert Methods For A Thriving, Vertical

ByRimon Chowdhury Updated on

Have you ever looked at your beautiful Money Plant, with its heart-shaped leaves spilling over the pot, and wondered if it could be… more? Maybe it’s getting a bit wild and tangled, or you just dream of seeing it climb gracefully up a wall, transforming your space into a lush, green oasis.

If that sounds familiar, you’re in exactly the right place! As a fellow gardener, I know that feeling well. The good news is that encouraging your Money Plant (Epipremnum aureum) to climb is one of the most rewarding things you can do for it. It’s not just about looks; it’s about helping your plant reach its full, magnificent potential.

This comprehensive guide will show you exactly how to support money plant vines for healthier, more vigorous growth. We’ll explore why support is so crucial, dive into seven different creative and practical methods, and cover the best practices to ensure your leafy friend thrives.

Get ready to unlock the secrets to a stunning, vertical Money Plant!

Why Supporting Your Money Plant is a Game-Changer

Before we get into the “how,” let’s talk about the “why.” In their native jungle habitat, Money Plants are natural climbers, using their aerial roots to cling to tree trunks and scramble towards the sunlight. By giving them something to climb, we’re simply mimicking their natural environment.

Understanding the benefits of how to support money plant growth will inspire you to get started. When you provide support, you’ll notice several fantastic changes:

  • Bigger, Healthier Leaves: As a Money Plant climbs, it feels secure and established. In response, it often produces significantly larger, more lush, and sometimes even fenestrated (split) leaves, just like its mature relatives in the wild!
  • Stronger, More Vigorous Growth: Vertical growth encourages the plant to put its energy into developing stronger stems and a more robust root system. This leads to a healthier plant overall.
  • Improved Air Circulation: Lifting the vines off the soil and away from a crowded pot improves airflow around the leaves. This is a simple but effective way to help prevent common fungal issues and pests.
  • Stunning Aesthetic Appeal: Let’s be honest—a climbing Money Plant is a showstopper! It transforms a simple houseplant into a living piece of art, adding vertical interest and a touch of the tropics to any room.
  • Space-Saving Solution: If you’re short on shelf space, growing upwards is the perfect solution. A climbing plant utilizes vertical space, making it ideal for smaller homes and apartments.

Choosing the Right Support: A Gardener’s Toolkit

The first step in our how to support money plant guide is picking the right tool for the job. There’s no single “best” option; it all depends on your plant’s size, your personal style, and how much you want to DIY. Don’t worry—these options are perfect for beginners!

Here are some of the most popular and effective supports:

1. The Classic Moss Pole

This is the gold standard for climbing aroids like Money Plants. A moss pole is a stake or PVC pipe wrapped in sphagnum moss. It retains moisture, providing a humid surface that encourages the plant’s aerial roots to latch on and absorb water and nutrients.

2. The Simple Stake

A bamboo cane, a simple wooden stake, or a decorative metal stake is the easiest way to start. While it provides physical support, it doesn’t offer the moisture that a moss pole does, so the aerial roots won’t attach as readily.

3. The Elegant Trellis

Trellises come in all shapes and sizes—from simple fan-shaped bamboo trellises to intricate metal designs. They are perfect for training your plant to create a “green wall” effect and can be a beautiful decorative element on their own.

4. Wall Hooks or Clips

For a minimalist look, you can guide your Money Plant’s vines directly up a wall using small, clear, self-adhesive hooks or clips. This method gives the illusion that the plant is climbing the wall all by itself.

The Ultimate Guide on How to Support Money Plant with a Moss Pole

Using a moss pole is my personal favorite method because it most closely mimics a tree trunk and yields incredible results. It might seem intimidating, but it’s surprisingly easy! Here’s the complete how-to for this popular technique.

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What You’ll Need:

  • A Money Plant ready for support
  • A pot that’s slightly larger than the current one
  • Fresh potting mix
  • A moss pole (store-bought or DIY)
  • Plant ties, garden twine, or velcro strips
  • A watering can or spray bottle

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Prepare the Pole: If your moss pole is dry, soak it in water for at least 15-20 minutes. A damp pole is much more inviting for those aerial roots. Squeeze out the excess water so it’s moist, not dripping wet.
  2. Position the Pole: Add a layer of fresh potting mix to the bottom of your new pot. Place the base of the moss pole in the center of the pot, slightly towards the back. Hold it steady as you fill the pot with soil around it, firming the soil to ensure the pole is sturdy and upright.
  3. Repot Your Plant: Gently remove your Money Plant from its old pot. Loosen the root ball slightly and place it in the new pot, just in front of the moss pole. Fill in the remaining space with potting mix, leaving about an inch from the rim.
  4. Attach the Vines: Now for the fun part! Identify the main, strongest vines. Gently press them against the moss pole. Look for the small brown nubs along the stem—those are the aerial roots. Try to position these nubs so they are making direct contact with the damp moss.
  5. Secure Gently: Use your plant ties or twine to loosely secure the vines to the pole. Don’t tie them too tightly! You want to guide the plant, not strangle it. The goal is to keep the stem in contact with the moss until the roots take hold on their own.
  6. Water and Mist: Give your newly potted plant a good watering. Going forward, make sure to mist the moss pole regularly (every few days) or pour water down it when you water the plant. This is the key to encouraging the roots to attach.

Creative & Sustainable Support Ideas for Every Style

Looking for a more unique or eco-friendly how to support money plant solution? Your garden and home are full of possibilities! Thinking outside the box is part of the fun of gardening.

DIY Natural Branch Support

Find a sturdy, interesting-looking branch from your yard (ensure it’s from a non-toxic tree and pest-free). Secure it in your pot with rocks and soil, and let your Money Plant climb it for a beautifully rustic, natural look. This is a fantastic sustainable how to support money plant option.

Jute or Macrame Hangers

Create a beautiful macrame wall hanging that doubles as a plant trellis. You can weave the vines through the knots and patterns, creating a living work of art. Simple jute twine strung between two hooks also works wonderfully for a more minimalist, bohemian vibe.

Upcycled Materials

Get creative with things you already have! An old wooden ladder, a bamboo curtain, or even a wire coat hanger bent into a circular shape can be transformed into a unique and functional support for your climbing friend.

Step-by-Step: Attaching Your Money Plant to Its New Support

Regardless of the support you choose, the basic attachment process is similar. Following these how to support money plant best practices will ensure a smooth transition for your plant.

  1. Be Gentle: Money Plant stems are fairly pliable, but they can still snap. Always handle the vines with care, avoiding any sharp bends or forcing.
  2. Identify the Growth Direction: Look at how the leaves are oriented. You want to guide the vine upwards in the direction it’s already growing. Don’t try to wrap it backwards.
  3. Use Soft Ties: Avoid using thin wire or plastic zip ties, which can cut into the stems as the plant grows. Opt for soft materials like velcro plant tape, strips of old cloth, or soft garden twine.
  4. Provide Room to Grow: When making a loop to secure the stem, leave a little bit of wiggle room. This allows the stem to thicken over time without being constricted.
  5. Check Periodically: As your plant grows, you’ll need to continue guiding new growth and adding more ties. Check on it every few weeks to see if any adjustments are needed. After a while, a plant on a moss pole will attach itself, and you can remove the initial ties.
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Common Problems with How to Support Money Plant (And How to Fix Them)

Even with the best intentions, you might run into a few little hurdles. Don’t worry! Here are some common problems with how to support money plant vines and simple solutions.

Problem: My plant’s aerial roots aren’t attaching to the moss pole.

Solution: The most common reason is that the pole is too dry. Aerial roots are seeking moisture. Increase the frequency of your misting or make a habit of pouring a little water down the pole every time you water the soil. Ensure the nodes with the roots are making firm contact with the moss.

Problem: The leaves are turning yellow after I repotted it with a support.

Solution: A little bit of yellowing can be normal due to transplant shock. Give it a week or two to adjust. However, make sure you haven’t buried the plant too deeply and that the new pot has excellent drainage. Overwatering is often the culprit behind yellow leaves.

Problem: The support seems wobbly or unstable.

Solution: This usually means the support wasn’t anchored deeply enough in the soil. If it’s a major issue, you may need to carefully repot, ensuring the support goes all the way to the bottom of the pot and is packed firmly with soil. For top-heavy plants, you might need a heavier pot (like terracotta or ceramic) to act as a counterbalance.

Frequently Asked Questions About Supporting Money Plants

How do I know when my Money Plant is ready for support?

You can add support at any time, but the best time is when the vines start to get long and trail significantly—usually when they are a foot long or more. It’s often easiest to add a support during a routine repotting session.

Can a Money Plant climb a wall by itself?

While their aerial roots are designed for climbing, they typically cannot get a strong enough grip on painted drywall to support their own weight. They need either a textured surface (like brick or bark) or the assistance of hooks, clips, or a trellis placed against the wall.

What if I want my Money Plant to be bushy instead of climbing?

That’s a great look, too! To encourage a bushier plant, simply prune the long, trailing vines. Every time you trim a vine, the plant will typically send out two new shoots from the node just below the cut, leading to a fuller, denser plant. You can then propagate the cuttings to make new plants!

How tall can a Money Plant get indoors with support?

With proper care and a tall enough support, an indoor Money Plant can easily reach lengths of 10 feet or more! The size of the leaves will also increase dramatically as it climbs higher, giving it a truly impressive, jungle-like appearance.

Your Journey to a Vertical Oasis

There you have it—everything you need to know about how to support money plant for a happier, healthier, and more spectacular display. By providing a simple stake, trellis, or moss pole, you’re not just decorating; you’re partnering with your plant, helping it do what it was born to do: climb!

Remember, gardening is a journey, not a destination. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different supports to see what you and your plant like best. Start today, and in a few months, you’ll be rewarded with a lush, vertical vine that brings life and beauty to your home.

Go forth and grow!

Rimon Chowdhury
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