How To Make Pothos Climb

If you’ve got a pothos plant, you know it’s a champion grower. But to get those beautiful trailing vines to climb upwards, you need a little know-how. Learning how to make pothos climb is the key to turning your leafy friend into a stunning vertical feature. It’s easier than you might think, and with a few simple techniques, you can train your pothos to cover a wall, moss pole, or trellis.

This guide will walk you through everything. We’ll cover why climbing is good for your plant and the simple tools you’ll need. Then, we’ll get into the step-by-step training methods that actually work.

First, let’s understand your plant’s natural instinct. In the wild, pothos (Epipremnum aureum) are climbing plants. They use their aerial roots to attach to tree bark and climb towards the sunlight. When we grow them in hanging baskets, we’re letting them trail, but not fulfilling their climbing potential. Training them to climb makes for a healthier, larger plant with bigger leaves.

Why Train Your Pothos to Climb?

It’s not just about looks. A climbing pothos is often a happier pothos.

Bigger, Healthier Leaves: As the plant climbs and its stems mature, the new leaves can grow significantly larger. You might see leaves the size of your hand!
Stronger Stems: The vine will thicken and become more robust as it supports its own weight upward.
Optimal Light Exposure: Training allows you to position more leaves for better light, improving overall growth.
Saves Space: It’s a fantastic way to enjoy a large plant without taking up floor space. You utilize vertical space instead.
Prevents Tangling: Trailing vines can become a tangled mess. A climbing structure keeps everything neat and organized.

What You’ll Need: Simple Tools for Training

You don’t need fancy equipment. Most items are probably already in your home.

A Support Structure: This is what your pothos will climb on. Common options include a moss pole (excellent for aerial root attachment), a wooden trellis, a bamboo stake, or even command hooks on a wall.
Soft Ties: You’ll need something to gently secure the vines to the support. Use plant velcro, soft garden twine, old nylon stockings, or even twist ties with the paper covering. Avoid wire or anything that can cut into the stem.
A Healthy Pothos: Start with a plant that has several long, healthy vines. You can train a younger plant, but longer vines give you more to work with immediately.
Scissors or Pruners: For trimming your ties and maybe doing a little pruning.

Choosing the Best Support Structure

Your choice of support depends on the look you want and how involved you want to be.

Moss Poles (The Best for Natural Attachment)

A moss pole is a cylinder filled with moist sphagnum moss. It’s the ideal support because it mimics a tree trunk. Your pothos’s aerial roots will naturally grow into the moist moss, anchoring the plant by itself over time.

Pros: Encourages strong, natural attachment; keeps humidity high around stems; perfect for large, mature plants.
Cons: Requires keeping the moss damp; can be messy; usually needs repotting to install.

Wooden Trellises or Bamboo Stakes

These are great for a decorative look. You can find them in many shapes like arches, ladders, or grids.

Pros: Very decorative and stylish; easy to insert into the pot; good for lighter plants.
Cons: Aerial roots won’t attach as readily; you’ll need to manually tie the vines for much longer.

Wall Climbing with Hooks

This method lets your pothos climb directly on a wall. You use clear command hooks or small nails to guide the vine.

Pros: Creates a stunning, living wall feature; uses no floor or shelf space.
Cons: Aerial roots can mark painted walls; moving the plant is difficult; vines can damage wall surfaces if removed.

Step-by-Step: How to Train Your Pothos on a Moss Pole

This is the most effective method for long-term, self-supporting growth. Here’s how to do it.

Prepare Your Plant and Pole: Water your pothos a day before so it’s hydrated. If your moss pole is dry, soak it in water for 15-20 minutes.
Insert the Pole: Carefully insert the moss pole deep into the pot’s soil, close to the center and near the main stems. Try to avoid severly damaging too many roots. You might need to repot the plant with the pole already in the pot for stability.
Identify the Vines: Choose the longest, healthiest vines to start training. Don’t try to train every single vine at once; start with 2-3.
Position and Tie: Gently wrap the vine around the moss pole. Don’t force it or bend it too sharply. Use a soft tie to loosely secure the vine to the pole at one or two points. The tie should be snug but not tight—think of a loose belt.
Mist the Pole: Regularly mist the moss pole to keep it damp. This encourages the aerial roots to reach out and dig in. This is the crucial step that leads to natural attachment.
Check and Adjust Ties: Every few weeks, check your ties. If the vine is growing thicker, loosen the tie to prevent constriction. As the vine attaches, you can often remove the tie completely.
Guide New Growth: As new sections of vine grow, continue to gently wrap them around the pole and secure them with new ties until they attach.

Step-by-Step: Training on a Trellis or Wall

For non-porous supports like wood or walls, the technique relies more on your guidance.

Secure the Support: Firmly place a trellis or stake into the pot. For a wall, plan your hook layout in a pattern that will guide the vine upward or across.
Attach the Main Vine: Take your longest vine and drape it along the support. Use soft ties or hooks to secure it at several points along its length. Space attachments every 4-6 inches.
Encourage Direction: Always guide the growing tip upward or in the direction you want it to go. Plants grow towards light, so position your support so the top gets good light.
Weave New Growth: As new leaves and stem segments emerge, gently weave them through the trellis openings or use additional hooks to direct them. This creates a fuller look.
Regular Maintenance: Every month, check all attachment points. Adjust ties, and redirect any vines that are growing away from the support. Prune any vines that refuse to cooperate or are growing in the wrong direction.

Essential Care Tips for a Climbing Pothos

A climbing pothos has the same basic needs, but with a few extra considerations.

Watering and Feeding

A plant putting out larger leaves may use water more quickly. Check the soil moisture regularly—don’t just water on a schedule. Water thoroughly when the top inch or two of soil feels dry. During the growing season (spring and summer), feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month. This supports all that new growth.

Light Requirements

Bright, indirect light is perfect. A climbing pothos near an east or north-facing window often thrives. If you’re training it on a wall, make sure the top of the plant gets light, or the lower leaves may drop. Avoid harsh direct sun, which can scorch the leaves.

Pruning for Fuller Growth

Don’t be afraid to prune. If a vine becomes too long or leggy, cut it back to a leaf node (the little bump on the stem where a leaf grows). This encourages the plant to branch out from that point, creating a bushier appearance at the base and along the climb. You can propagate the cuttings you prune off to make new plants!

Common Problems and Solutions

Sometimes, training doesn’t go perfectly. Here’s how to fix common issues.

Vines Won’t Stay Attached

If vines keep falling off a moss pole, the moss is probably too dry. Keep it consistently moist. For other supports, you simply need more ties. Add them at more frequent intervals along the vine’s length.

Aerial Roots Are Not Growing

This is normal on wooden or wall climbs. Aerial roots may not develop as heavily. Focus on good tying techniques. On a moss pole, ensure high humidity around the pole by misting regularly.

Leaves Are Getting Smaller, Not Larger

This usually means the plant isn’t getting enough light. The climb itself encourages bigger leaves, but it still needs adequate energy from light. Try moving the plant to a brighter location (without direct sun). Also, ensure you are fertilizing during the growing season.

Vines Are Growing Away from the Support

Plants grow toward light. If your support is in a darker spot than the surrounding area, the vine will ignore it. Reposition the support so the path upward is also the path toward the best light. Use ties to correct the direction of wayward vines.

Creative Ideas for Your Climbing Pothos

Once you master the basics, get creative with your displays.

Frame a Window: Use a series of small hooks to train vines around a window frame for a living curtain effect.
Bookshelf Accent: Let a pothos climb up a tall trellis placed at the end of a bookshelf, weaving the vines through the shelves.
Room Divider: Use a large, room-sized trellis and train multiple pothos plants to create a green, living divider.
Topiary Shapes: Use a wire topiary form (like a heart or circle) as your support for a shaped pothos display.

FAQ: Your Pothos Climbing Questions Answered

How long does it take for pothos to attach to a moss pole?

It can take several weeks to a few months for aerial roots to firmly attach. Consistency with keeping the moss moist is the biggest factor in speeding this up.

Can I train an old, long pothos to climb?

Absolutely. You can train a pothos of any age. For very long vines, you may need to coil them around the base of the pole first before directing them upward. Don’t worry if some leaves face the wrong way; they will adjust over time.

What is the fastest way to make pothos climb?

The fastest visual result comes from using plenty of soft ties on a trellis. However, the fastest way to achieve natural attachment is using a consistently moist moss pole combined with good light.

Will pothos damage my walls?

It can. The aerial roots can stick to paint and drywall, potentially pulling off paint when removed. Using hooks to keep the vines slightly away from the surface or choosing a less-sensitive wall is recommended. Always test in a small, inconspicuous area first.

Should I mist my climbing pothos?

Misting the leaves has minimal benefit for humidity. However, misting a moss pole is very beneficial. If your home is very dry, consider using a humidifier near the plant for the best results.

How often should I water a pothos on a moss pole?

Water the soil as usual based on its dryness. The moss pole should be watered/misted separately to keep it damp, which may be every few days depending on your home’s humidity. Don’t let the pole dry out completely.

Training your pothos to climb is a rewarding process. It changes the entire character of the plant. With patience and the simple techniques outlined here, you can guide your pothos to grow upward, creating a beautiful and living piece of decor in your home. Remember, the key is to start with a good support, use gentle ties, and be consistent with your care. Your efforts will be rewarded with a lush, vibrant display that shows off the true potential of this popular houseplant.