How to Grow Mounted Aroids
Wikimedia Commons
Mounted Aroids
Araceae family (various genera including Philodendron, Anthurium, Rhaphidophora, Scindapsus)
flowerMounted aroids are tropical climbing or vining plants from the Araceae family secured to wood, cork, or moss poles to mimic their natural epiphytic growth on trees. These living installations display lush foliage and aerial roots while creating dramatic vertical garden features. They combine horticultural interest with interior design appeal.
When should you plant Mounted Aroids in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Mounted Aroids timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Mounted Aroids
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
First Mounted Aroids blooms
Mid-to-late summerBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Mounted Aroids dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Zones 10b-11 outdoors; zones 9-11 with protection. Best grown indoors in most climates.
Sign up free to see if Mounted Aroids grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Mounted Aroids timeline →Growth Stages
Establishment
4-8 weeksPlant is newly mounted with vines loosely attached to the pole. Foliage may appear stress from transplanting; roots are beginning aerial root development.
Maintain high humidity (60-80%), mist frequently, and avoid moving the mount. Be patient—rooting takes 4-8 weeks. Use light plant ties or clips to gently guide growth upward.
Root Development
2-4 monthsAerial roots develop and begin firmly adhering to the moss pole. New leaves emerge from nodes along the vine.
Keep the moss moist by misting and top-watering. Ensure roots contact the pole for proper nutrient uptake. Maintain bright, indirect light. Do not fertilize heavily yet.
Vegetative Growth
Ongoing, 6-12+ monthsThe plant produces vigorous new growth, with vines climbing the pole and foliage expanding significantly. Aerial roots become prominent and woody.
Water and mist regularly. Begin monthly diluted fertilization during growing season (spring-summer). Guide new growth as needed, but allow natural spreading. Maintain humidity above 60%.
Mature/Established
1-2+ years and beyondThe mounted aroid reaches full visual maturity with well-developed foliage coverage on the pole, extensive aerial root systems, and potentially flowering in some species.
Continue regular misting and watering. Fertilize monthly during active growth. Prune to maintain shape if desired. Some species may produce spathes (flowering bracts). Rotate the mount quarterly for even growth.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Inspect regularly and remove with rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab. Treat infested areas with insecticidal soap or neem oil spray. Increase air circulation and humidity.
-
Increase humidity to 60%+ through frequent misting. Spray foliage with water to dislodge. Apply neem oil or horticultural miticide if severe. Avoid over-drying.
-
Remove manually with a soft brush. Treat with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap, ensuring coverage of all leaf surfaces and nodes.
-
Prevent by ensuring excellent drainage and avoiding overwatering. Reduce watering frequency and improve air circulation. If severe, repot into fresh, sterile mix and trim affected roots.
-
Reduce watering slightly to allow surface to dry. Use yellow sticky traps to monitor. Apply hydrogen peroxide dilution or sand layer on soil surface to prevent larvae.
Uses
Indoor Air Purification
HouseholdAroids such as Philodendron and Pothos are documented by NASA to remove formaldehyde, benzene, and xylene from indoor air, improving overall air quality and creating healthier living spaces. [source]
Living Wall & Interior Design
CraftMounted aroids create dramatic vertical garden installations as living artwork, adding texture, greenery, and biophilic elements to homes, offices, and commercial interiors without requiring floor space. [source]
Microhabitat for Insects & Microorganisms
WildlifeThe moss pole and aerial root systems provide microhabitats for beneficial insects, soil microbes, and arthropods that support a miniature ecosystem within the mounted installation. [source]
Propagation & Plant Collection
HouseholdMounted aroids serve as prolific mother plants for cutting propagation, allowing hobbyists to expand plant collections or share cuttings easily due to the frequent node exposure along climbing vines. [source]
Harvest Tips
Mounted aroids are ornamental plants grown for foliage; no traditional harvest applies. Propagate by taking vine cuttings with 2-3 nodes and air-layering aerial roots to create new mounted specimens. Cuttings root readily in water or moss within 2-4 weeks.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 In their natural tropical rainforest habitat, many aroids are epiphytes that grow on tree trunks and branches, obtaining nutrients and water from decomposing bark and aerial roots—mounted cultivation mimics this natural ecology.
- 🌱 Aerial roots on aroids absorb moisture and nutrients directly from the air and surrounding moss, unlike terrestrial roots; this adaptation allows them to thrive on tree trunks where soil is absent.
- 🌱 Some mounted aroid collections can reach 3-4 feet tall indoors and live 10+ years with proper care, becoming long-term focal points and investment-grade houseplants valued by collectors.
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Mounted Aroids planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Mounted Aroids seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Mounted Aroids timeline →