Tall Monstera Plant – Your Ultimate Guide To Vertical Growth

ByRimon Chowdhury Updated on

Have you ever scrolled through Instagram or Pinterest and stopped dead in your tracks, mesmerized by a magnificent, ceiling-high Monstera deliciosa? Its giant, fenestrated leaves create a lush, tropical canopy right in someone’s living room, and you think, “Why doesn’t mine look like that?”

I hear you. It’s a common frustration. You provide water and light, but your Monstera seems more interested in sprawling sideways than reaching for the sky. It feels like you’re missing a secret piece of the puzzle.

Well, I promise you, that secret is within your reach. Growing a stunningly tall monstera plant isn’t about luck; it’s about understanding its natural instincts and giving it what it truly craves. Don’t worry—it’s easier than you think, and absolutely perfect for gardeners of all levels!

In this complete guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know. We’ll cover the single most important tool for vertical growth, master the fundamentals of light and water, and share some pro-level tall monstera plant tips to turn your bushy friend into a living sculpture. Let’s get growing!

Why Won’t My Monstera Grow Tall? Understanding Its Natural Instincts

Before we dive into how to make your Monstera climb, we need to understand why it wants to. In the wild, Monstera deliciosa is an epiphyte, which means it grows on other plants, like trees. It’s a natural-born climber!

Its main goal is to scramble up the rainforest canopy to reach for more sunlight. The sprawling, ground-level growth you might be seeing is its juvenile stage. It’s searching for something—anything—to latch onto so it can begin its vertical journey.

The key takeaway? Your Monstera isn’t trying to be difficult by growing wide; it’s simply waiting for you to give it a “tree.” Without support, it will remain in a less mature, bushier state with smaller leaves. Provide that support, and you unlock its true potential for majestic height.

The Secret Weapon for a Tall Monstera Plant: Choosing and Using Support

If you remember only one thing from this entire tall monstera plant guide, let it be this: support is non-negotiable for height. This is the single most important factor in encouraging your plant to grow upwards, develop larger leaves, and mature into the statement piece you’ve been dreaming of.

Types of Support: Moss Poles vs. Planks and Trellises

Your Monstera needs something to dig its aerial roots into. These fuzzy brown roots aren’t just for show; they are designed to anchor the plant to a surface. Here are the most popular options:

  • Moss Poles: This is the gold standard. Moss poles mimic the moist, textured bark of a rainforest tree. They retain moisture, which encourages the aerial roots to attach firmly and even draw nutrients and water, signaling the plant that it’s safe to grow bigger and taller.
  • Coir Poles: Similar to moss poles but made from coconut fiber. They are a great, readily available alternative, though they don’t retain moisture quite as well as sphagnum moss.
  • Wooden Planks or Trellises: A simple cedar or untreated wood plank can also work wonderfully. While they don’t hold moisture, they provide a sturdy, flat surface for the plant to brace against. A trellis offers a more open, decorative look.

My personal recommendation for beginners is a moss pole. The added benefit of moisture retention really helps convince your Monstera it’s time to climb.

How to Install a Moss Pole: A Step-by-Step Guide

The best time to add a support pole is during a repot. This allows you to position it securely without disturbing the root ball too much. Here’s how to grow a tall monstera plant using this method:

  1. Soak Your Pole: If you’re using a moss or coir pole, submerge it in water for at least 15-20 minutes until it’s fully saturated. This makes it more inviting for those aerial roots.
  2. Prepare Your Pot: Add a layer of fresh, well-draining potting mix to the bottom of the new pot (one that’s 2-3 inches wider than the current one).
  3. Position the Pole: Place the base of the pole in the pot, slightly off-center and towards the “back” of the plant. The back is the side where the aerial roots are emerging from the main stem.
  4. Place Your Plant: Gently remove your Monstera from its old pot. Position it in the new pot right in front of the pole, so the main stem is resting against it.
  5. Backfill and Secure: Fill the rest of the pot with soil, gently firming it down to secure both the plant and the pole. Make sure the pole is sturdy and doesn’t wobble.
  6. Attach the Stem: Loosely tie the main stem to the pole in a few places using plant tape, twine, or velcro strips. Never tie the leaf petioles (the individual leaf stems), only the main, thick stem. Leave room for it to grow.
READ MORE  Black Spots On Monstera - The Ultimate Guide To Diagnosis And Recovery

Now, just keep the moss pole moist by misting it regularly, and watch as your plant begins to anchor itself and climb!

The Complete Tall Monstera Plant Care Guide for Vertical Success

With support in place, a few other environmental factors will supercharge your plant’s journey upward. Think of these as the fuel for its climb. This is your essential tall monstera plant care guide.

The Perfect Light Recipe

Monsteras need bright, indirect light to thrive. Imagine the dappled sunlight filtering through a rainforest canopy—that’s what you’re trying to replicate.

Place your plant near an east-facing window or a few feet back from a south or west-facing window. Too little light will result in “leggy” growth (long stems with few, small leaves) as it stretches for the sun. Too much direct sun will scorch its beautiful leaves.

Watering Wisdom: Less is More

Overwatering is one of the most common plant care mistakes. Monsteras prefer their soil to dry out slightly between waterings. A good rule of thumb is to stick your finger two inches into the soil. If it’s dry, it’s time to water. If it’s still moist, wait a few more days.

When you do water, do it thoroughly. Let water run all the way through the pot and out the drainage holes. This ensures the entire root system gets a drink and flushes out any salt buildup.

Feeding for Growth: What and When to Fertilize

To support vigorous vertical growth, your Monstera needs nutrients. During the growing season (spring and summer), feed it with a balanced liquid fertilizer every 4-6 weeks, diluted to half-strength. In the fall and winter, you can pause fertilizing as the plant’s growth naturally slows down.

Pruning and Maintenance: Tall Monstera Plant Best Practices

A little strategic housekeeping can make a huge difference in encouraging upward growth. These tall monstera plant best practices will keep your plant healthy and focused on its climb.

How to Prune for Upward Growth

Don’t be afraid to prune! Trimming your Monstera helps redirect its energy. By removing older, smaller leaves at the base of the plant, you encourage it to put more energy into producing new, larger leaves at the top.

Simply use a clean, sharp pair of scissors or pruning shears to snip off any yellowing leaves or smaller, lower leaves right at the main stem. Bonus: you can propagate the cuttings to make new plants!

The Importance of Leaf Care

Those big, beautiful leaves are solar panels. Over time, they can collect dust, which blocks light and hinders photosynthesis. Once a month, gently wipe down each leaf with a damp cloth. This not only helps your plant breathe but also gives you a chance to check for any pests.

Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Monstera Care

Part of being a great gardener is caring for our planet, too. You can easily incorporate sustainable tall monstera plant practices into your routine.

READ MORE  Monstera Bloom - Your Complete Guide To Unlocking Its Rare Flower

For an eco-friendly tall monstera plant, consider making your own support pole from a piece of scrap wood or a sturdy branch from your yard. You can also create your own potting mix using sustainable ingredients like coco coir (a byproduct of the coconut industry) instead of peat moss, which is a non-renewable resource.

For pest control, skip the harsh chemicals. A simple solution of neem oil or insecticidal soap is highly effective and much kinder to the environment.

Troubleshooting Common Problems with a Tall Monstera Plant

Even with the best care, you might run into a few hiccups. Here’s a quick look at some common problems with a tall monstera plant and how to solve them.

  • Yellowing Leaves: This is most often a sign of overwatering. Check the soil moisture and allow it to dry out more between waterings.
  • Leggy Growth and Small Leaves: Your plant is screaming for more light! Move it to a brighter location with more indirect sun.
  • Leaves Not Splitting (Fenestrating): This is usually a sign of immaturity or insufficient light. As the plant gets older and climbs higher towards its light source, new leaves will begin to develop those iconic splits. Be patient!
  • Pests: The most common culprits are spider mites and mealybugs. You can often spot them on the undersides of leaves. Isolate the plant and treat it by wiping the leaves and spraying with neem oil.

Frequently Asked Questions About Growing a Tall Monstera

How long does it take for a Monstera to get tall?

With proper support and good growing conditions, a young Monstera can start showing significant vertical growth within one growing season (spring/summer). It may take 2-3 years to reach a truly impressive height of 6 feet or more, but you’ll see progress quickly once it’s attached to a pole.

Should I cut off the aerial roots?

No, please don’t! Aerial roots are vital for support, stability, and absorbing moisture. Gently guide them towards the moss pole or even down into the soil, where they will function just like normal roots. If one is growing in a truly awkward direction, you can trim it, but it’s best to leave them be.

When is the best time to repot my Monstera to encourage height?

The best time to repot is in the spring, just as the plant is entering its active growing season. This is also the perfect time to add or upgrade its support pole, as the plant will be ready to quickly recover and start climbing.

Your Journey to New Heights

You now have all the knowledge and tools you need to help your Monstera reach its full, towering potential. Remember, the journey from a sprawling bush to a vertical masterpiece is all about providing three simple things: strong support, bright light, and consistent care.

Don’t be discouraged if it takes a little time. Gardening is a practice in patience and partnership with nature. Every new leaf that unfurls higher than the last is a victory.

So go ahead, give your plant the support it’s been craving. You’ve got this. Happy growing!

Rimon Chowdhury
Latest posts by Rimon Chowdhury (see all)

Similar Posts