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To get your monstera to grow up, you need to combine the right support structure with proper light, water, and humidity.
If you’ve been wondering how to get my monstera to grow up instead of letting it flop over sideways, you’re definitely not alone.
Monsteras are natural climbers that scale tree trunks in the wild, so they don’t just grow upward on their own in a pot.
In this post, we’ll cover exactly how to get a monstera to grow up, including the best support options, training techniques, and care tips that encourage vertical growth.
Let’s dig in.
Why Your Monstera Needs Help to Grow Up
Monsteras are vining plants that naturally climb trees in the rainforest.
They use aerial roots to attach themselves to bark and reach toward the sunlight.
When you keep a monstera indoors, it doesn’t have a tree to climb, so it will sprawl outward instead.
If you’ve been asking how to get my monstera to grow up, the answer starts with understanding this natural climbing instinct.
Without support, the stems become heavy and the plant can tip over or look messy.
Aerial Roots Are the Key
Look closely at your monstera and you’ll notice brown, wiry roots along the stem.
These are aerial roots, and they’re designed to grip onto rough surfaces.
When you provide a moss pole or stake, those roots will latch on and anchor your monstera.
So don’t trim those roots away; they’re your ticket to getting your monstera to grow up.
Monsteras Don’t Self-Support
Unlike some houseplants that grow straight up on their own, monsteras need external support.
Their stems aren’t woody enough to hold themselves upright as they get taller.
That’s why a monstera left to its own devices will eventually bend and creep along the floor.
Giving it something to climb is the only way to encourage that upward growth you’re after.
The Best Ways to Get Your Monstera to Grow Up
Now let’s look at the practical methods you can use today.
Here are the most effective ways to get your monstera to grow up, listed from simplest to most natural.
Install a Moss Pole
A moss pole is the classic choice for climbing monsteras, and for good reason.
These poles are filled with sphagnum moss, which mimics the damp tree bark that monsteras climb in the wild.
To use one, simply press the pole into the soil near the base of your plant.
Then gently attach the stem and aerial roots to the moss using soft ties.
Keep the moss slightly damp, and your monstera’s roots will eventually dig into it.
This is arguably the best way to get your monstera to grow up quickly.
Once the roots grab hold, the plant will start climbing on its own.
Use a Wooden Stake or Trellis
Not a fan of moss poles?
A cedar stake, coir-covered support, or even a decorative trellis can work beautifully.
The key is to choose something rough enough for the aerial roots to grip.
Smooth plastic or metal surfaces won’t give the roots anything to hold onto.
Whichever support you choose, make sure it’s tall enough to accommodate your monstera’s eventual height.
The right support makes getting your monstera to grow up feel effortless.
Tie the Stems Gently
Once you have a support in place, you’ll need to guide your monstera toward it.
Use soft plant ties, garden twine, or strips of fabric to attach the stem loosely to the support.
Never tie too tightly, as this can damage the stem over time.
Leave a little slack so the plant has room to thicken and grow.
Check the ties monthly and adjust them as your monstera climbs higher.
This simple training method is a big part of learning how to get my monstera to grow up.
Care Tips That Encourage Upward Growth
Support alone won’t do the job if your monstera isn’t growing vigorously.
These care tips will help your monstera grow up faster and stay healthy.
Provide Bright, Indirect Light
Monsteras thrive in bright, indirect light, similar to what they get beneath the rainforest canopy.
Too little light slows growth dramatically, so your monstera won’t have the energy to reach upward.
Place your plant near a north or east-facing window, or use sheer curtains to filter direct sun.
This is one of the simplest answers to how to get a monstera to grow up.
Water Consistently and Feed Monthly
Monsteras like their soil to stay evenly moist but not soggy.
Water when the top inch or two of soil feels dry to the touch.
During the growing season (spring and summer), feed your monstera with a balanced liquid fertilizer every 4 to 6 weeks.
A well-fed monstera will naturally try to grow up rather than just survive.
Prune Leggy Stems
Pruning sounds scary, but it’s actually great for your monstera’s shape.
If you have long, bare stems with leaves only at the tip, cut them back.
Make your cut just above a node, and new growth will often sprout from that point.
This encourages a fuller plant with fresh stems that are easier to train upward.
Pruning is a powerful trick when you’re trying to get your monstera to grow up.
Boost Humidity
High humidity helps monstera aerial roots stay soft, flexible, and ready to attach.
If your home is dry, mist your monstera daily or place a humidifier nearby.
You can also set the pot on a tray of pebbles filled with water.
Humidity not only benefits the leaves but also makes it easier to train your monstera upward.
So, How to Get My Monstera to Grow Up?
To get your monstera to grow up, provide a moss pole or other rough support, tie the stems gently, and give your plant bright light, consistent water, and good humidity.
Start by installing a moss pole and attaching the main stem to it.
Keep the moss damp and position your monstera in a brightly lit spot.
Water when the soil is dry and feed it monthly during the growing season.
With these steps, you’ll see your monstera reaching for the ceiling in no time.
Getting your monstera to grow up is absolutely achievable with a little patience and the right setup.
Your monstera will thank you with bigger leaves and a much more impressive presence.
So grab a moss pole, give your monstera some support, and watch it climb.