How To Train Monstera To Grow Upwards

You can train monstera to grow upwards by giving it the right climbing structure and actively guiding its aerial roots and stems to that support.

Whether your monstera is a small baby plant or a sprawling giant, teaching it to grow vertically is totally doable and honestly one of the most rewarding plant projects you’ll tackle.

When you train monstera to grow upwards, you’re not just saving floor space—you’re also encouraging those gorgeous, fenestrated leaves to get even bigger and more dramatic.

Monsteras are natural climbers in the wild, so this upward training actually mimics how they grow in their native jungle habitat.

In this post, we’ll cover how to train monstera to grow upwards, the best support options, and the little tricks that keep your plant happy and reaching for the sky.

Let’s dig in and get your monstera climbing like a pro.

Why You Should Train Monstera To Grow Upwards

Training monstera to grow upwards isn’t just about looks, though the vertical display is stunning.

The real magic happens when you give your monstera a structure to climb, because this encourages the plant to push out larger, more mature leaves with deeper cuts and holes.

When you train monstera to grow upwards, you’re also improving airflow around the leaves, which helps prevent pests and rot.

A vertical monstera is easier to water, prune, and inspect, and it makes a statement in any corner of your home.

Here’s why this upward training works so well for monsteras.

1. It Mimics Their Natural Growth Habit

In the wild, monsteras climb tall trees to reach sunlight.

That’s the key reason why training monstera to grow upwards feels so natural to the plant.

When you provide a moss pole or trellis, you’re essentially recreating that tree trunk.

Monstera will happily latch onto it with aerial roots, just like it does in the jungle.

This upward growth also signals to the plant that it’s in a good spot, so it invests more energy into leaf size rather than just sprawling out.

2. It Encourages Bigger, Better Leaves

When you train monstera to grow upwards, you’re telling the plant it’s safe to grow big.

Horizontal monsteras tend to produce smaller leaves that face downward or sideways.

But a monstera climbing upward will aim its leaves toward the light, and those leaves often develop deeper fenestrations.

That’s the whole point of training monstera to grow upwards—to get that iconic, holey, split-leaf look you’ve been dreaming of.

3. It Saves Valuable Floor Space

A monstera left to its own devices can take over a room pretty fast.

Training monstera to grow upwards keeps the footprint small while allowing the height to grow.

This is perfect for apartments, small living rooms, or any spot where horizontal sprawl just isn’t an option.

You can have a towering, statement monstera without sacrificing your walkway or couch space.

How To Train Monstera To Grow Upwards Step By Step

Now let’s get into the actual how-to.

You can train monstera to grow upwards with a few simple tools and a little patience.

Here’s a step-by-step method that works for most monsteras, whether they’re juvenile or mature.

1. Choose The Right Support Structure

First, pick something your monstera can actually grab onto.

Moss poles are the classic choice because they hold moisture and give aerial roots something to sink into.

Coconut coir poles and wooden planks also work well for training monstera to grow upwards.

Make sure the pole is at least as tall as your plant’s current stem, and ideally a bit taller.

Place the pole about two to three inches away from the base of the stem, not directly on top of the roots.

2. Secure The Main Stem, Not The Leaves

This is the trickiest part of learning how to train monstera to grow upwards.

You want to attach the main stem to the pole, because leaves are delicate and can get bruised or torn.

Use soft plant ties, velcro straps, or even old pantyhose to loosely secure the stem.

Tie it just below a node where an aerial root is emerging, that’s the sweet spot.

Don’t cinch it too tight; leave a little wiggle room so the stem can thicken over time.

3. Guide The Aerial Roots Toward The Pole

Aerial roots are your best friend when you train monstera to grow upwards.

These little brown tendrils naturally reach for something to climb.

Gently tuck them against the damp moss pole, and they’ll often start clinging on their own.

You can also mist the pole regularly to encourage the roots to attach.

As new aerial roots grow, keep guiding them back to the support so your monstera keeps climbing upward.

4. Rotate For Even Light Exposure

As you train monstera to grow upwards, don’t forget about light.

Monsteras lean heavily toward their light source, so rotate the pot a quarter turn every week or two.

This keeps the plant growing straight up along the pole instead of bending sideways.

Even light exposure also ensures the leaves develop evenly, so you don’t end up with one bare side.

5. Repot And Refresh The Pole As Needed

Over time, your monstera will outgrow the pole.

When you train monstera to grow upwards, you’ll notice the plant reaching the top of the support.

At that point, you can either extend the pole, add another one on top, or propagate the top cutting.

Repotting into a slightly larger pot every two years also gives the roots room to support all that new vertical growth.

Common Mistakes To Avoid When You Train Monstera To Grow Upwards

Even with great intentions, a few slip-ups can slow your monstera’s vertical progress.

Let’s look at what not to do when you train monstera to grow upwards.

1. Tying The Petioles Instead Of The Stem

Petioles are the little stems that connect the leaves to the main stem.

When you tie these, the leaves can’t move to face the light, and they may get damaged.

Always secure the main stem to the pole when you train monstera to grow upwards.

This keeps the leaves free to orient themselves naturally while the backbone of the plant stays supported.

2. Using A Support That’s Too Short

If your pole is shorter than the plant, you’ll end up with a flopping top.

Make sure the support is tall enough for at least the next year of growth.

When you train monstera to grow upwards, the goal is to keep that central stem snug to the pole as it extends.

A short pole means you’ll be re-staking and adjusting constantly, which stresses the plant out.

3. Ignoring Humidity Levels

Monstera aerial roots love humidity, but dry indoor air can make them brittle.

If you’re serious about how to train monstera to grow upwards, invest in a humidifier or mist the pole daily.

When the moss pole is damp, the aerial roots grab on faster and more firmly.

Dry poles lead to roots that dangle in the air, as they just won’t anchor to the structure.

4. Expecting Results Overnight

Training monstera to grow upwards is a slow, steady process.

You won’t see dramatic changes in a week, but over a few months, the plant will settle into its climbing habit.

Be patient and keep adjusting the ties as new growth appears.

The payoff of a tall, lush monstera climbing upward is absolutely worth the wait.

So, Can You Train Monstera To Grow Upwards?

Yes, you can definitely train monstera to grow upwards, and it’s one of the best things you can do for your plant.

You can train monstera to grow upwards by choosing the right support, securing the main stem, guiding aerial roots, and giving it consistent light and humidity.

This upward growth improves leaf size, saves space, and creates a stunning visual display.

So go ahead and grab a moss pole, some soft ties, and start training monstera to grow upwards today.

Your monstera will thank you with bigger leaves, healthier roots, and a gorgeous vertical presence in your home.