Is Staking Houseplant Necessary?
The wind and competition from other plants in their natural habitats cause the plants to grow quickly and develop sturdy support structures.
Plants that are indoors, in a setting where there is little wind, can usually grow a weak stem because they have outgrown their support system. When this occurs, you may need to stake your plants.
Plants that have a natural tendency to fall over or tip over are not the only reason to stake them up inside. Some plants require staking even outside for stability. Another plant with this quality is the bougainvillea, but some plants are natural climbers, and they need support to grow properly.
This group includes many beautiful philodendron species, as well as ivy, jasmine, and tropical plants such as monstera. The way you stake your plants depends on what you’re planting.
It is important to keep tall plants upright by providing them with external support such as a stake or wire frame. But it is important to recognize if the plant needs support or repotting.
When does a Houseplant Need Staking?
Your plants will give you a few tell-tale signs when they need your support. It’s wise to research the specific plants you have and plan accordingly. How will your plant grow: vertically, horizontally, or a cascade over its pot?
Commonly known as ivy, cascading plants will never be tall enough to need support vertically, so that’s why you don’t have to worry about it. It may be necessary to provide some assistance as vertically growing plants expand upward to prevent accidental falls. That’s a mess you do not want to deal with.
How to tell if your plant needs support:
- Branches are starting to grow outward and begin to sage.
- Flowers or foliage are drooping from heavy blooms
- Increased growth is causing plants to topple over.
The list below includes a variety of ways you can support a growing plant if you observe any of the above behaviors, or if you’re just concerned that your plants are growing too tall.
When does a Plant Need Repotting?
In order to prevent dangerous topple you can also give your plants enough room in their pots to accommodate their height and volume. It makes sense that tall plants will need a wider base of support to keep their balance.
Signs that a plant needs repotting:
- New growth is smaller than expected, or the color is different
- The water drains out of the pot immediately after watering the plant.
- Plants can look unhappy, or just too big for their containers!
- Plants in the pot tend to tip over when they’re moved.
- The pot of the plant is a little too small and top-heavy.
Why are They Important?
Care for indoor plants requires supporting them and repotting them on a regular basis. Neglecting plants is simple and sad, but repotting them will keep them healthy and happy. You can try a rock garden instead if you want something that doesn’t need a lot of care.
Maintaining your plants with support will ultimately result in a stronger specimen and encourage new vertical growth. The improvement in air circulation and light exposure significantly benefit the plant. Also, a healthy plant looks much more attractive in your living area, vs. a saggy and unhappy one.
Repotting plants is a routine plant-care chore. Some people tend to overlook this chore because it isn’t something you’re likely to do very often. However, if you want your plants to last you a long time, they must be replanted once in a while. Repotting them is a quick fix that comes with a lot of benefits for your little plant.
The new pot will provide the roots with a fresh medium for improved water retention and nutrition, as well as ample spaces to prevent root binding. Make sure that the pot is free of pests and unwanted guests! A bigger pot will ensure that more weight will be placed at the base of the plant, reducing the risk of the plant toppling!
4 Helpful Basic Methods of Staking You can Choose!
Simple Straight Stake
Typically used for single-stemmed plants that are top-heavy or are outgrowing their stems faster, this is the simplest form of staking. Examples include flowering plants and those that have outgrown their stems quickly. These kinds of stakes are usually bamboo rods that are pushed into the ground and tied to the plants.
When you tie the plant off, make sure not to tie it too tightly. If you do, the tie will cut into the plant’s stem, causing injury. The best way to avoid this is to tie a tie that is stretchy, such as nylon or a special plant tie.
Wire or Shaped Support
This is ideal for plants with thick stems that need to be trained to a particular shape, or for creepers. A good indoor example is jasmine, which has overgrown branches which are very heavy, but cannot support their flowering.
This kind of staking can be achieved by simply twisting a wire coat hanger into a loop, or even a simple piece of wire. The wire support will hold the plant while it grows. This creates a nice and sculptural hoop-shaped support, which is best seen in full bloom.
Cage Support
These stakes are ideal for plants that have multiple stems and are top-heavy with blossoms or foliage. There are several ways to implement these stakes.
Several stakes can be strung with twine between them to form a support system, or you can use a simple wire cage that surrounds the plant. As a result, the cage usually supports the weight of the plant, so tying the plant to it isn’t necessary. Instead, ensure the plant has room to spread out within the cage.
Moss Pole
This is the most complicated kind of staking, so it’s ideal for climbers who want to grip onto something. Examples include golden pothos vines, monstera, and climbing philodendron. Making a climbing pole is as easy as filling a narrow wire tube with damp sphagnum moss and tying the plant to the pole and letting it attach on its own.
There are also climbing polls made of fern bark or moss available in some garden centers and specialty craft stores that were designed specifically for climbing plants. Despite the fact that they can help grow climbers, you should be aware that it takes extra moisture to keep the pole moist and encourage the plants to reach for the stake. It is especially important for poles made of sphagnum moss that tend to dry out quickly.
When to Stake a Plant?
Whenever you place a stake, it is best to do so when the plant is still actively seeking support and is relatively young. You should not only position the stake near the edge of the pot, but also avoid placing it directly in the center of the plant. This allows the plants more room to grow and makes it easier to display the plants in a “good” way, rather than letting them grow wild.
Lastly, most climbing or vine staked plants will require trimming from time to time. Check individual plant profiles to find out if your plant requires pruning.
Maintenance and Care
After you add support or repot your plants, keep a close eye on them.
To ensure they stay healthy and avoid any problems, the right water can play a role. For example, check the tie-offs on a staked plant. It is important to change the tie if it is too tight or rubbing the stem raw.
For repotted plants, ensure that the new pot does not drain too fast and the leaves continue to be strong. You should continue to be aware of your plants needs, especially when they are growing fast. Some plants might require more support maintenance than others!