Moss poles with tree fern fibre and sphagnum moss

Which should I use – tree fern fibre or sphagnum moss?

When plant people talk about a moss pole, it could refer to a range of materials held in a mesh tube. The mesh tube can be made from narrow space garden mesh or can be purchased commercially. Here are some commonly used types of filling to use in a moss pole:

1. Tree fern fibre: Tree fern fiber is derived from the trunks of tree ferns. This fibre is legally and sustainably harvested from tree fern species found in Australia and New Zealand. The cheapest way is to use locally sourced tree fern fibre to create moss poles. Tree fern fiber has a unique, fibrous texture that provides an excellent surface for climbing plants to attach their aerial roots. It mimics the natural environment that many tropical houseplants, which are often epiphytic in their native habitats, prefer. The appearance of the tree fern fiber is attractive and adds a natural and organic aesthetic to the overall display of the houseplant. Tree fern fiber has the ability to retain moisture while also providing good aeration for the roots of climbing plants. It can hold onto water without becoming waterlogged, and it doesn’t compact nor become hydrophobic like sphagnum moss should it dry out. Durability and Longevity: Tree fern fiber is a durable material that can withstand the moist conditions typically found in indoor gardening. It resists decay and remains stable over an extended period. With proper care, a moss pole made from tree fern fiber can last for years, providing a long-term support system for climbing houseplants. Best of all, tree fern fiber is considered a sustainable and eco-friendly choice for creating moss poles. It is derived from renewable sources and harvested in a manner that ensures the survival of the tree fern species. This makes it a more environmentally conscious option compared to alternatives that may involve synthetic or less sustainable materials.
2. Sphagnum Moss: Sphagnum moss is a popular choice for moss poles. It is a type of moss known for its excellent water retention properties. There are two ways: The moss is packed tightly around a core material, such as a PVC pipe or bamboo, and secured with twine or wire. Alternatively the sphagnum moss is packed into a mesh tube. If the sphagnum moss becomes dry it is often difficult to re-wet, and becomes hydrophobic, which can cause compaction making it hard for the plant’s roots to grow into the moss. Sphagnum moss is also more likely to allow algae to grow, causing the pole to become a mottled green. While this isn’t a real problem for the plant, some people feel this looks unsightly. Before using a sphagnum moss pole, be sure to soak it in water until all the moss has filled out the wire tube. That way you will know it’s ready to use.
3. Coco Coir: Coco coir, derived from coconut husks, is another commonly used material for moss poles. Coco coir poles are created by compressing and wrapping coconut fiber around a core, similar to other moss poles, such as a PVC pipe or bamboo, and secured with twine or wire. While they are durable and have excellent air circulation properties, they don’t hold anywhere near the amount of moisture that is held by sphagnum moss or tree fern fibre
4. Sisal or Jute Twine: Instead of using moss as the primary material, some moss poles are made by tightly wrapping sisal or jute twine around a core structure. This creates a rough surface that allows aerial roots to grip and climb easily. Sisal or jute twine poles provide a more rustic and natural appearance while still providing support for climbing plants.
5. PVC Pipe: PVC pipe is a synthetic material often used as the core structure for moss poles. It provides sturdy support and is resistant to moisture and decay. PVC pipe can be wrapped with other materials such as sphagnum moss or coco coir to create a more natural and aesthetic look.
6. Bamboo: Bamboo poles are a popular choice for creating moss poles, especially in traditional Asian gardening practices. Bamboo is strong, durable, and visually appealing. The poles can be left as they are or wrapped with moss or other materials to provide better moisture retention and climbing support.

The choice of material depends on personal preference, aesthetics, availability, and the specific needs of the plants you are growing. Ultimately, the key is to provide a stable and supportive structure that facilitates vertical growth and aerial root development for your tropical houseplants.

Using a moss pole to grow tropical houseplants offers several benefits:

1. Support for vertical growth: Many tropical houseplants, such as Monstera deliciosa, Philodendrons, and Epipremnums, are natural climbers or vining plants. Moss poles provide a sturdy and stable support structure for these plants to grow vertically. This allows them to mimic their natural growth habit, which can enhance their overall appearance and create an appealing aesthetic.
2. Height for larger leaves: the majority of the climbing tropical houseplants you grow will produce larger leaves the higher they go. When you buy a small climbing tropical houseplant it will be small and have the juvenile form of the leaves. As the plant goes higher, the new leaves will grow in a different shape, become much larger, and some may even fenestrate. If you want the big, mature form of the leaf, give your plant the chance to grow up. Trailing down from the pot will not encourage the leaves to become large. The plant will maintain the juvenile form of the leaves if it is allowed to only trail down over the side of the pot to the floor.
3. Enhanced aesthetics: Moss poles add a visually pleasing element to indoor plant displays. Especially with the tree fern fibre. It’s dark brown colour creates a natural and organic look that complements the tropical foliage of the plants. It can add texture and depth to your indoor garden, making it more visually interesting, providing a dramatic contrast of colour which is appealing.
4. Aerial root support: Many climbing tropical plants have aerial roots that naturally seek out support structures in their environment. Moss poles provide a suitable surface for these roots to attach to, offering stability and promoting healthy growth. Be sure the keep the moss pole moist to encourage the plant to grow roots into the moss. When the roots cling to the moss pole, it encourages the plant to send out more aerial roots, which can further enhance its climbing ability and overall vigor.
5. Optimal light exposure: Tropical houseplants will search for their ideal lighting situation. By using a moss pole, you can elevate the plant and bring it closer to the light source, ensuring it receives the optimal amount of light. This can promote robust growth, vibrant foliage, and overall plant health.
6. Efficient space utilization: Growing plants vertically with moss poles allows you to maximize the use of limited space. Instead of allowing the plant to spread out horizontally, you can guide it upward, which is particularly useful in small living spaces or when you have multiple plants you want to showcase.
7. Air circulation and ventilation: When tropical plants are trained to grow on moss poles, their foliage is elevated, allowing better air circulation around the plant. This increased airflow reduces the risk of stagnant, humid conditions that can promote the growth of mold, mildew, and pests. Good air circulation is crucial for preventing diseases and maintaining healthy foliage.

Potting up your moss pole

When you add a moss pole to your pot, first remove the moss from the bottom of the moss pole to the depth of the pot you are going to use, and stuff in the space chunky potting mix. This is important for a few reasons:

• Preventing excessive moisture retention: Moss has a high water retention capacity, which means it can hold onto moisture for an extended period. When moss is left on the bottom of a moss pole under the potting mix, it can trap excess water and lead to overly wet conditions around the plant’s roots. This can promote the growth of harmful bacteria, fungi, and root rot, which can negatively impact the plant’s health.
• Promoting aeration and drainage: By removing the moss from the bottom of the moss pole and swapping it with chunky potting mix, you create a space that allows air to circulate more freely around the plant’s roots. This improved aeration helps prevent the roots from becoming waterlogged and allows excess water to drain away effectively. Adequate drainage is crucial for houseplants to prevent root suffocation and encourage healthy root development.
• Your moss pole will be dry when you take it home, and may shed a little in its packaging. That’s all to be expected. If any has trickled out, collect it up and keep it on hand to add into the top of the pole later as the moss may settle a little over time.
• The moss shouldn’t be too tightly packed so as not to be wettable, and it shouldn’t be so loose that it settles to less than half the height when it’s upright. Expect some changes over time as the material settles into place. As tree fern fibre is looser that sphagnum moss, there may be a small amount of detritus on the floor if the pole is bumped or jostled. That is a sign that the moss is too dry, so keep it moist and it’s less likely to trickle out.
• To secure your plant to the moss pole, you can use clear budding tape or small loosely tied twist ties – just until the roots of the plant have grown into the moss and it can hang on by itself. It is important to remove the tape or ties before the plant grows and it becomes too tight.

When should I add a moss pole?

Small plants that are potted up with a moss pole early on do better than larger plants which have a moss pole added once they are already tall. It is a good idea to only add as much pole filling as the plant needs, and top it up from the top as the plant grows. This saves on having a great long length of the moss pole dry out too quickly, and also reduces the amount you need to water each time.

If the plants don’t come all the way up the pole you don’t need to fill the pole all the way to the top. You can top up when needed. Of course it’s completely up to you. Some people just want to do the moss pole once only and leave it, happy to keep the whole thing moist all the time. My preference is to only supply as much filling as the plant currently needs to the highest node point, tie it in place and keep that much of the filling damp. As the plant grows, top it up. Try that, and if you find it too fiddly or messy then fill the whole thing. Whichever suits your style.

When I add in the filling, I use a length of straight poly pipe with a cap on the end to tamp it down as I go, to reduce the gaps – but not so hard as to compress it to a pancake. Have a chop stick handy to poke the material around whatever holes are spotted to let the filling settle.

Placement of the moss pole in to pot

I like the look of the pole in the rear of the pot and the plant fixed in the front portion. This results in one obvious front side that faces out. It allows for the fixings and joiners at the seam of the mesh to be positioned at the rear of the pot so they’re not visible. Then with all that space in the front of the pot, I can fit 2 or 3 plants in and train them directly upright. I haven’t has such good performance or leaf size when I have allowed the plant to wind around the moss pole.

What about keeping it moist?

Keeping a moss pole moist is essential to provide the right environment for climbing plants and encourage healthy root growth into the pole. Here are a few ways to maintain moisture in a moss pole for a houseplant:

1. Regular misting: Use a spray bottle filled with water to mist the moss pole. Mist the moss pole daily or as needed to keep the moss damp. This helps to maintain the moisture level required by the climbing plant’s aerial roots.
2. Drip irrigation: Set up a drip irrigation system or use a watering spike specifically designed for moss poles. These devices allow a slow and steady release of water, ensuring that the moss remains moist without becoming overly saturated.
3. Watering the moss pole, not the plant: when do water, pour the water into the moss rather than onto the potting mix. Watering the moss pole will allow for excess moisture to trickle down through the moss and into the potting mix. Be mindful to thoroughly moisten the moss pole but avoid overwatering the potting mix as excessive moisture can lead to root rot or other issues.
4. Humidity control: Maintain a humid environment around the moss pole and plant by grouping plants together. Higher humidity levels help prevent the moss from drying out too quickly.
5. Covering the moss pole: To further retain moisture, you can cover the moss pole with a plastic wrap, leaving the top exposed for plant growth. The cover helps to trap humidity and reduce moisture evaporation from the moss. This is a good temporary measure if you are taking a vacation, but is not recommended as a long term option. Besides which, it is unsightly.

It’s important to note that while keeping the moss pole moist is beneficial, it’s equally crucial to ensure proper drainage to prevent waterlogging. Avoid allowing excess water to accumulate at the base of the moss pole, as this can lead to root rot and other issues. Monitor the moisture level and adjust your watering routine accordingly to maintain a balance between moisture and proper drainage.