Moss Poles are likely more well-known than Coir Poles. They have been around for much longer and are an established tool for plant-growers with tall, climbing plants.
Coco Coir Poles are a little different. While they still provide structural support, they don’t provide the micronutrients, and extra water Moss Poles do.
Moss Poles provide your plant with more water and nutrients, allowing them to grow faster when compared to Coir Poles, which can pull essential nutrients from the soil, causing plants to grow slower.
If you want to know more about the pros and cons of both Moss Poles and Coir Poles, continue reading below. You may find one that works better for you and your needs.
Is a Moss Pole Better Than a Coir Pole?
Both the Moss Pole and the Coir Pole have benefits for plants. However, most people tend to agree that a Coir Pole is not only better for your plant but better for the environment as well. This is because the stake is reusable and breaks down as it is made from wood, but it is also water-retentive and long-lasting.
Many people have found that they enjoy the appearance of Coco Coir poles better, but that is just a simple opinion.
Regarding growing faster, Moss Poles tend to do better since they provide both nutrients and water without additional fertilization on your part.
Pros and Cons of Moss Poles
Pros
The Moss Poles help to entice climbing plants to grow upwards. They are also very water-retentive, making them excellent for those that need an extra bit of humidity.
Moss Poles are also excellent if you want something that closely mimics natural environments. The aerial roots of plants can get water and micronutrients via the moss.
Moss provides nutrients to the growing plant and works with various plants. You may be worried that since they always stay wet, they might cause rot, but Moss Poles are resistant to rot.
Cons
Most of the stakes with Moss Poles are plastic or metal, which aren’t ideal for the environment, and can’t be reused. Moss is also unsustainable as it grows too slowly compared to how much we have to harvest it.
The biggest downside for personal reasons is that moss has a unique smell. Moss also needs frequent upkeep, so it isn’t good if you won’t be able to care for them and your plant correctly. Usually, daily misting is required.
Moss Poles also aren’t ideal for taller plants, as the stakes usually aren’t tall enough. They can also be pricey, so you don’t want to buy them just to realize they don’t work for your plant.
Do Plants Grow Faster with a Moss Pole?
Since they provide a variety of micronutrients, increase humidity and water, and allow the plant to thrive, they can help plants grow faster than they usually would.
Also, some plants can do better when their aerial roots come into contact with the Moss Pole. This can promote leaves to become larger than they would normally.
Will Moss Poles Damage Roots?
Moss Poles do have a chance to damage roots. This is possible with anything you are inserting into the ground near the roots. To reduce the chances of damaging roots, you want to introduce the Moss Pole early, when the plant is young and before the roots have time to spread.
Pros and Cons of Coir Poles
Pros
Unlike Moss Poles, which are always vertical sticks, these don’t have to be vertical or upright. This means they can benefit creeping species as well.
They usually blend better with the plant, which makes them more attractive, and they are reusable, meaning you don’t have to buy a new one as often.
You can even make Coir Poles to save a little bit of money and design them in a way you’d like.
Coir is pretty cheap. It is used in everything from composting toilets to plant insulation, and it is easy to buy in bulk; the shavings come in dehydrated bricks that can last a long time.
There are also different kinds of coconut shavings, so you can mix them or find the one that suits your plant best. There are three main kinds of coconut shavings. The first is pith (or peat), which is very water retentive and can keep plants pretty wet.
Second are fibers, which are in the middle in terms of aeration and water retention. Third, are chips which create a lot of pockets in the soil and retain water, but they may not hold as well on a pole.
Cons
They may be hard to find locally, especially if you are in a small town. Even if you make it yourself, you usually have to get coir in dried blocks, which can be hard to break down into the size and amount you want.
There is also a salt issue. A lot of Coir has high levels of salt. Not only does this make it harder for the plant to absorb the water they need, but it can also cause problems with plants getting enough essential nutrients.
This is apparently because companies like to rinse the coconut shavings in salt water after harvesting instead of fresh water. Also, Coir, unlike Moss, doesn’t have any additional nutrient benefits. This means you have to add fertilizer on top of using the Coir Pole, which you wouldn’t have to do with Moss Poles.
Additionally, on top of not providing nutrients, it may soak up some of the calcium, magnesium, and iron in your soil, taking away much-needed nutrients from your plant.
How to Keep Coco Coir Pole Moist?
Coco Coir Poles do not have to be kept wet. If you buy a premade pole, you just have to take it out of the box, and you are ready. If you are making it yourself, you just water it enough to break down the coconut shavings and rehydrate them. You don’t have to replace anything or add extra watering tasks to your day.
Which Pole Is Best for Monstera?
Neither option is a bad idea for Monstera. Both have pros and cons. For example, Monstera can grow up to 60 feet (18 m) in the wild. You likely don’t have that much vertical space available. Since Coco Coir Poles can also go horizontally, they can also help disperse some of that height into vertical directions.
If you want to control the nutrients of your plant yourself or just have something that provides height without anything extra, a Coco Coir Pole is a good idea as well, as it doesn’t provide any extra nutrients.
However, if you want to provide your Monstera with a lot of nutrients and healthy leaves, Moss Poles are a great option. Thanks to the extra water and the micronutrients in the Moss Poles, your Monstera can grow large, happy leaves and need less care and fertilizer than they would with Coir Poles.
Also, many people know Monsteras to have an iconic leaf split. Growing on a Moss Pole can help it achieve this distinct leaf shape much more easily.
Technically, Monsteras don’t need either pole, but it does help your plant to be healthier.
Summary
Moss Poles have been around longer than Coir Poles, and many gardeners understand how to use them better. However, they have their pros and cons. If you’ve ever wished for a Moss Pole that requires little maintenance and is better for the environment, then it may be worth looking at a Coir Pole.
Moss Poles provide your plant with more water and nutrients, which allows them to grow faster and bigger when compared to Coir Poles, which can pull essential nutrients from the soil, causing plants to grow slower.
Both Moss Poles and Coir Poles have their benefits and it’s up to you which option is better suited for your plant and home environment.