I’m here today to teach you how to make a mini moss pole. When you’re a collector of epiphytic plants like Monsteras, Syngoniums, Hoyas, and some Philodendrons, using a moss pole can help your plants to grow big and strong. Moss poles mimic mossy trees, and in their natural environment, epiphytes grow on the trunks of trees and other plants. Often times, the higher a plant grows on a tree or moss pole, the bigger and more mature a plant’s leaf will get. With very few supplies and a couple of bucks, you can make these mini moss poles to start your smaller plants off right! Keep reading to learn how to make a mini moss pole.
Not only is this DIY easy, but it’s super inexpensive. Once you buy all the supplies, you can make a bunch of them for under $1 each. Crazy, right!? Let’s get started!
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You’ll need:
Moss – I’m fortunate enough to live in the northwest where we have harvested moss readily available. If you can’t find a local river moss, you can use this Sphagnum Moss. It works just as well!
Fishing line – Any fishing line will do. You might even have some lying around the house but if not, this fishing line is perfect!
Bamboo Skewers – We’re making mini moss poles today but if you want to make something bigger, you can use any kind of cylinder pole. I used these skewers which worked really well for the minis.
Steps:
- Spread a layer of moss â…” the length of your skewer on a work surface and place the bamboo skewer directly on top. Leave the bottom â…“ bare as that section will be underneath the soil.
- Cut approximately four feet of fishing line. Tie a double knot â…“ of the way up your pole from the bottom.
- Use one hand to hold the moss wrapped around the skewer in place on the pole, while using your other hand to wrap the fishing line around the moss covered pole. Continue to wrap the fishing line up and then down the pole to secure the moss into place.
- Once the moss is secure, tie the fishing line off with a double knot. Cut off any excess line.
- Trim any stray pieces of moss and you’re done!
Once the mini moss pole is done, you can now pot up your plant with its new moss pole. Hold the moss pole and rooted plant together with the plant in front of the moss pole. Place inside an empty pot and hold into place. Start filling the pot with soil and the soil should hold the moss pole and plant securely in place!
I used my mini moss pole for this sweet little Philodendron I received, as a cutting from a friend. I made the moss pole big enough to allow plenty of space to grow! The leaves are already growing bigger and I can’t wait to see how big they get!
One thing to mention, in order for the areal roots to attach and grow onto the pole, you will need to keep the moss pole as moist as possible at all times. You can use a mister or spray bottle to help with that. If you have any questions, leave a comment and I’ll be happy to get back to you. You can also shoot me a quick DM over on Instagram, you’ll probably get the quickest response over there 🙂 Thanks for visiting today!
Thank you! I’ve been searching for a solution for my marble queen. One question though, when the plant gets bigger how do you adjust/change the moss pole without breaking their aerial roots?
If you make the moss pole using pvc pipe, and glue a wooden spike in the bottom end of the pipe, then wrap with moss, when the plant gets as tall as the pole, you can basically stack the poles and that keeps you from having to change them out. I’m using this method for my vanilla orchids. 🙂
Great idea! I was curious about using a moss pole for my orchids.
Oh, great idea!!
I really like that idea! Did you also use fishing g like to attach the moss to the pole? I was thinking of trying garden netting on my next one…..Hopefully it will make it a little easier! I would li e to see a picture of your pole!!
Good question! You can remove them gently and switch to a bigger moss pole. But to begin with, I would make a larger moss pole, one that you think would work for your plant for a few years. In this case, I was working with a mini Philodendron.
Do you dry out your own harvested moss? Or use it right after it’s collected?
I actually source mine from a local company and it’s preserved (dried) prior to my buying it.
Hi I can’t wait to try making my own moss pole! This question may be silly but I have to ask. My backyard is full of moss bc it’s pretty damp and shady, it easily pulls up from the ground and I’m wondering if I can use that instead of buying some?
That moss could be used in a terrarium! But I would stick with preserved or sphagnum moss so you don’t have to worry about any bugs!
Where in the NW do you purchase your moss? I live in Seattle and hardly ever see moss for purchase.
Unfortunately, the place I used to get it from, closed during Covid. I’ll keep you posted when I find another place.
I would ask a local shop if they can stock it from the wholesale market. That’s usually where you can find it 🙂
Is it ok to use metal stick and wrap moss with yarn to make moss pole?
Yes! You can do that too 🙂
Also in the NW! We have tons of moss, I’m thinking of harvesting. Wondering if I need to clean off at all
Hi! Does the wood rot in the soil? I have always read to put wax or cover it with something before putting into the soil.
Bamboo does not! You can also use pvc pipe or cedar fencing. I would be careful with anything else.
Hi. I’m just curious as to how puttting moss on my pole makes it bigger?
Good question!
As epiphytic plants have something to attach themselves to and grow on, their leaves get bigger. You may have seen pictures of plants in the jungle? At the base of the tree they’re growing on, they’re smaller leave, and as the grow up the tree their leaves get bigger and bigger 🙂
Thank you so much, very helpful, will try this out
Hi. Why do you use river moss? And, can other mosses be used for this project? Thanks for any info.
Hey there, thanks for sharing this awesome DIY! I love using natural methods to help my plants grow, and this mini moss pole idea is fantastic. It's a fun project to tackle, and my Monsteras will appreciate it. Plus, it's budget-friendly, which aligns with my health-conscious lifestyle. I'll be making a few of these for my indoor garden. I like adding new things to my garden and my nutrition. The last update for my diet was adding <a href="https://www.amazon.com/USDA-Organic-Sea-Moss-Bladderwrack/dp/B0BWFQXRYM">sea moss</a> supplements. And that brought me so much energy and joy, just as your DYI, Erin! Thank you so much.