How to Make a Monstera Climbing Wall

The Monstera deliciosa is a tropical plant with a natural vining instinct to climb. In their native rainforest habitats, these plants use their aerial roots to scale trees, reaching for canopy light. Replicating this vertical growth in a home environment by training a Monstera up a wall can create a “living wall” effect. This transforms a simple houseplant into an architectural feature with large, graphic leaves.

Guiding a Monstera to grow vertically is more than an aesthetic choice; it directly encourages the plant’s natural development. The act of climbing signals the plant to mature, which results in the growth of larger leaves with more pronounced fenestrations—the iconic splits and holes. Providing a vertical structure also improves air circulation around the base of the plant, which helps keep it healthier and reduces the risk of common problems.

Benefits of Training a Monstera to Climb

Encouraging a Monstera to climb mimics its natural behavior and is a direct signal for the plant to enter a more mature phase of growth. This upward trajectory is closely linked to leaf development. As the plant secures itself and grows vertically, it responds by producing significantly larger leaves, moving beyond its juvenile stage. The stability provided by a support structure allows the plant to invest more energy into foliage size.

This maturation process also leads to more impressive fenestrations, the signature splits and holes that make the foliage desirable. A young or unsupported Monstera may have solid, heart-shaped leaves, but as it climbs, new leaves will emerge with an increasing number of splits. This happens because a climbing plant needs to allow sunlight to pass through its upper leaves to the lower ones, ensuring the entire organism can photosynthesize.

Beyond leaf development, providing support for climbing contributes to the plant’s overall structural integrity. The stems become more robust to support the vertical growth, and the aerial roots have a function, anchoring the plant as they would to a tree trunk. Improved air circulation around the elevated stems and leaves also helps to keep the foliage dry and less susceptible to pests or fungal diseases.

Wall Climbing Methods and Supplies

One flexible and minimally invasive method involves using individual, self-adhesive hooks. Small, clear plastic hooks are ideal because they have a minimal visual impact, allowing the focus to remain on the plant’s foliage. You will need a series of these hooks and a soft material like plant tape or twine to secure the stems. The main advantage is the ability to place them precisely and adjust the path as it grows, though they may not be suitable for the weight of very mature stems.

For a more robust solution, a wall-mounted trellis or grid provides a sturdy framework for the Monstera to climb. These can be made from metal or wood and are attached directly to the wall with screws, creating a large surface area for the plant to attach to. This method is excellent for supporting heavy growth and can become a decorative feature. The primary drawback is its visibility and the necessity of drilling into your wall.

A third approach is to affix a vertical wooden plank to the wall, which closely mimics the tree trunks Monsteras climb in the wild. An unfinished plank of cedar or pine can offer a naturalistic aesthetic while providing very strong support. This requires secure mounting with heavy-duty brackets to handle the plant’s weight over time. The wood’s texture gives the plant’s aerial roots a surface to grip, encouraging natural attachment.

Step-by-Step Installation Guide

The first step is to correctly identify the “back” of the plant. This is the side from which the aerial roots emerge; these are the thick, leafless roots that grow from the main stem. A Monstera presses this side against a tree to climb. When positioning your plant, this side with the aerial roots should face the wall and your chosen support system.

Once you have the orientation correct, place the plant’s pot on the floor close to the wall where you plan for it to climb. The proximity should be close enough that the main stem can be gently guided towards the support without excessive strain. If you are using a trellis or plank, center the plant at its base. If using individual hooks, position the pot where the vine will begin its upward journey.

With the plant in position, provide its initial support using soft plant tape or twine. Gently secure the main, most established stem to the lowest point of your support structure. For a trellis or plank, this will be near the bottom, while for hooks, you should place the first hook a short distance above the soil line. The tie should be snug enough to hold the stem in place but loose enough to avoid cutting into it as it grows.

Finally, begin to guide the stems and aerial roots toward the support. Gently direct the primary vine upwards along your intended path, adding ties or placing it on hooks every foot or so to keep it secure. As you secure the vine, tuck any existing aerial roots behind the stem so they are touching the support surface. Do not force or bend the roots sharply, as they can break; instead, encourage them toward the structure where they may eventually latch on.

Ongoing Care and Training

Once your Monstera is installed on its climbing support, the training process becomes a continuous part of its care. As the plant produces new growth, you will need to guide these young, flexible vines upwards. Check on the plant every few weeks to see where new leaves are heading and gently secure the extending stems to the next point on your support system using new hooks or ties.

Monitoring the plant’s attachment to the support is also part of the long-term process. Over time, the aerial roots may begin to adhere to surfaces like a wooden plank, providing their own support. Stems attached with tape or twine will need occasional checks to ensure the ties are not becoming too tight as the stems thicken. You may need to loosen or replace old ties to prevent them from constricting the plant.

A vertically climbing Monstera might have different environmental needs than a potted, bushy one. The upper leaves, being closer to the ceiling, may receive more or less light depending on your window placement, so you may need to adjust its position or add supplemental lighting. Because the foliage is spread out, the plant may dry out at a different rate. Consistently check the soil moisture and adjust your watering schedule accordingly.