Create Your Own Charming Plant Trellis Using Only Two Items

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Climbing plants without something to attach themselves to tend to grow along surfaces in search of a support, or hang down like a trailing plant. With nothing to climb up, they tend to grow sparse and rangey. While they'll likely survive under these circumstances, they're at their best when you give them something to scale. In fact you can make your climbing potted plants look fuller with one essential tip: make a trellis for them.

With this easy DIY, you can create your own charming vertical plant trellis using a piece of wire, such as this Hillman 16 Gauge Galvanized Steel Wire, and a glass jar with a lid. You'll also need pliers for bending and cutting the wire. Measure and cut a length of wire that is about two-and-a half times longer than the finished trellis height you want. Fold it in half around the neck of the jar (you'll find the lid helps hold it in place). Twist the two wires to make a circle. Remove from the jar and continue this process until you have three or four circles. 

Bend the loose two ends of wire wide enough to reach the edges of the pot, and press it into the soil. Gently guide your climber through the circles until it's supported by the trellis. That's all there is to it! Don't be surprised if your plant perks up and thrives now that you've given it exactly what it needs. 

This vertical DIY trellis is ideal for smaller, indoor potted climbers. If your climber needs a bit of help attaching itself to the trellis at first, use something gentle to hold it up like YDSL Green Garden Plant Twist Ties. Soft coated wire can be cut to size, it's easy to attach, and quick to remove when your plant no longer needs support.

When working with bigger, heavier, plants, you'll likely need to use stronger wire. If you find a single upright trellis isn't stable enough, use the wire to create different shapes. Think of creating a 3D structure over your climber such as a pyramid or dome. By shifting from a 2D structure to a 3D shape, you're creating a wider base and a more stable structure for the plant to attach itself to.

A happy plant is a growing plant, so you might be wondering what to do if your climbing plant grows past its trellis? Your next steps depend on the age and stage of the plant. Younger plants can be trained to grow towards open spaces on your trellis. For older plants, the solution may be to nip out the growing bud at the top to encourage bushier growth, rather than encouraging longer stem growth. By following our master gardener's top tips for making houseplants look fuller and lush, you can get the healthiest and happiest climbers for your DIY trellis.