DIY Coir Stick and Moss Poles

Hey guys! Welcome back to another plant post! If you’ve read our Tuesday post, you probably know what today’s post is about (thanks for tuning in!). Anyways, let’s get started.

For those of you who are new to the plant community, you might wonder what a stake is for. Well, it helps guide climbing and trailing plants to grow upwards on the stake or pole rather than spreading over the pot. Climbing plants---like the monstera deliciosa---tend to break when not attached to a pole because they cannot support their own weight. Staking your climbing plants is a way of mimicking their natural habitat as these often attach their aerial roots to trees to acquire more sunlight. On the other hand, staking trailing plants---like pothos---isn’t really necessary, but rather a personal choice. Some plant parents prefer to let their pothos dangle from a hanging pot, let them trail on a trellis or a wall, or let them grow upwards on a stake.

OK, so why DIY it when you can buy it pre-made? Most of the pre-made poles tend to be on the pricier side! I spent weeks looking for affordable moss poles until one day, I decided to make my own. When you DIY, you can customize it according to your plant (you know your babies best!). So, here are two options you can try. The first one is the best option if you’re on a budget. However, I prefer the second one better (and you’ll soon find out why), but it can run a bit pricey. So, enough with the babbling… Here’s two ways to DIY a plant pole:

1. BAMBOO POLE

Step 1: Take two or three bamboo sticks together. If you want it shorter, go ahead and cut the sticks into desired height (You can use a saw, box cutter or garden shears to cut).

Step 2: Secure poles together with twine. Cut small pieces of twine and tie it around the top, bottom, and center of the bamboo sticks to keep them together.

Step 3: Rip or cut out pieces of the coco coir. You can cut the pieces into whatever size desired.

Step 4: Wrap the coco coir OR moss around the pole. Secure medium to the pole by tying twine around it.

Step 5: Repeat process, making sure you overlap pieces of coco coir/moss to cover the bamboo underneath. Leave a bit of space on the bottom of pole without medium, so you can stick it into the soil.

When you’re done, just stick your finished pole into the soil and secure your plant to the stake with either Velcro, twine, or a string of your preference. Don’t forge to mist the pole!

2. MOSS POLE

Step 1: Measure desired diameter and height of your pole.

Step 2: Cut out your mesh to your desired measurements.

Step 3: Lay mesh on the table. Grab some sphagnum moss and fill the middle with it, making sure it is tightly packed.

Step 4: When you’re done, secure the two sides of the mesh with zip ties to close it up. You can close up the top if you desire.

Step 5: Stick the pole into the soil. No need for any kind of stick; it will hold up on its own.

Step 6: Water the moss!

To attach plants to the mesh, you can use the same materials from the the first DIY!

So, those are the two ways you can DIY your moss pole. The bamboo pole is the more affordable option as these items can easily be found at your local dollar stores. The second one will set you back a few more dollars as mesh is sold in bigger packs and sphagnum moss costs around $15. The second DIY is absolutely the one I prefer as you can easily water the moss instead of misting it. It also keeps in moisture better and is easier to attach plants to it because of the individual holes. But either way, both are great options to try. Your plants will appreciate it!

We hope you enjoyed this post and gained some insight on a little plant care. If you want to see more of these plant posts, hit us up in the comments below! If you do try DIY-ing your own plant pole, make sure to tag us on Instagram @themeprj! We’ll see you next Tuesday for another post. This time it’ll be pandemic related… Stay tuned!

Happy weekend!