Properly supporting a monstera’s growth is the most specialised skill you’ll need to get to grips with. If you’re not lending your plant a hand, monstera will reach, stretch, and lean, often ending up in shapes that are unruly and difficult to manage indoors.
Monstera are climbing plants by nature and, for me, learning how to guide that growth made all the difference.
Why Monstera Need Support and Training
In the wild, monstera grow along the forest floor until they find a tree, then climb upward towards light. Indoors, that tree doesn’t exist until you provide it.
Without support:
- New growth sprawls out sideways
- Large stems buckle under their own weight
- Leaves are smaller and won’t fenestrate
- New stems stretch out and droop
With support:
- Leaves grow larger and more mature
- Fenestrations become more pronounced
- Stems thicken and strengthen
- Growth becomes more vertical
Supporting a Monstera
Best Types of Support
There are a few common options, and each works slightly differently.
- Moss poles – my preferred option, closest to natural conditions
- Coir poles – similar vertical structure with a dry, tough surface
- Trellises – good for shaping but less natural for root attachment
I always try to use moss poles because they allow aerial roots to grow into the surface and anchor the plant properly.
They do take a bit more time to set up, but I think they’re really worth it. Making your own moss pole is easier than you’d think, and it’s an easy way to get a support that matches your plant and pot size.
Take a look at our complete moss pole support guide for some tips on getting started.
How I Add Support
When I install a support, I do it as soon as I repot a monstera. It’s much easier to guide a plant as it grows than to correct it later.
My approach:
- Insert the support deep into the pot for stability
- Position it close to the main stem
- Gently guide the stem toward it over time
I avoid forcing the plant into position. Instead, I adjust it gradually, letting it settle and attach naturally.
Training a Monstera
Training is about guiding growth, not controlling it completely.
How I train my monstera:
- Use soft plant ties to loosely secure stems
- Adjust ties as the plant grows
- Keep stems aligned with the support
- Leave space for movement and expansion
I’m always careful to avoid:
- Nodes (where growth happens)
- Aerial roots
- New leaves or growth points
These areas are more delicate, and damaging them can slow the plant down.
Without training, even a supported plant can grow in the wrong direction. I’ve had plants twist away from their poles, or lean heavily to one side simply because they weren’t guided early on..
Pruning a Monstera
Pruning is when you actively get down to shaping the plant. It can feel a bit daunting at first, but it’s one of the most useful tools you have for keeping monstera healthy and strong.
Why pruning is necessary
Monsteras don’t naturally stay compact. Over time, they can:
- Become leggy
- Outgrow their space
- Grow unevenly
- Waste energy and nutrients on damaged leaves
Proper pruning encourages healthier, fuller growth and keeps monstera looking their best.
When I prune
- When stems get too long or unbalanced
- When removing damaged or yellowing leaves
- When I want to control the size of the plant
- When taking cuttings for propagation
Pruning doesn’t follow a strict schedule. I always prune based on how the plant looks and what it needs.
How to prune correctly
- Find a node (where a leaf and aerial root emerge)
- Use clean, sharp shears
- Cut just above the node
The node is essential. It’s where new growth will emerge, so cutting in the right place ensures the plant can recover and continue growing.
What happens after pruning
After a cut, the plant often redirects energy into nearby growth points. This can lead to:
- New stems forming
- Fuller, bushier growth
- Better overall balance
Differences Between Popular Varieties
Not all monstera behave exactly the same, so I adjust my approach slightly depending on the type.
Monstera deliciosa
- Needs strong support as it grows large and heavy
- Benefits the most from climbing
- Pruning helps manage size indoors
This is the variety where support makes the biggest visual difference.
Monstera adansonii
- More flexible growth pattern. It’s happy to trail or climb
- Needs more frequent pruning to stay tidy
- Benefits from good training to avoid tangled stems
I tend to guide this one more actively to keep it from becoming messy.
Variegated Monstera (Albo, Thai Constellation)
- Slower growing, so prune very carefully
- Needs careful training to protect valuable growth
- Benefits from strong support but less aggressive shaping
With these, I take a more cautious approach. Variegated plants don’t photosynthesise very well, so individual leaves matter more than other varieties.
Final Thoughts
Supporting, training, and pruning a monstera isn’t about forcing it into shape. Indoors, we’re replacing the environment it would normally rely on, so a bit of intervention is necessary to help monstera grow into a natural shape.
The effort you put in really pays off every time a new leaf unfurls a little bigger than the last.
If you’re looking at installing or making a moss pole, check out our DIY moss poles guide.
For more tips on repotting, watering, and finding the perfect place to keep your monstera, head over to my complete monstera care guide.
Finally of course, your Monstera will really thank you for giving it some fresh soil now and then. I’m biased but I happen to think our own chunky aroid soil blend is the best!
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