I don’t know about you, but when it comes to houseplant accessories, my indoor plant trellis, potted plant trellis, or whatever you want to call it, needs to look as good as the pot itself, and both trellis and pot have to compliment the plant.
While I definitely have quirky plant preferences that may or may not be rooted in aesthetics, I want them looking good in their planters. So here’s a newsflash – ugly plastic pots and trellises don’t make the cut.
This means details like the support or trellis I use for a vine or climbing plant is important.
My plants are the living part of my home décor and in many ways my favorite design elements, but regardless, they need to contribute to the home aesthetic and not just look like a bunch of plastic-y pots crowded together by a window. (OK so that’s kind of what’s going on in my kitchen, but we’ll pretend otherwise for now.)
Why? Because trellis supports are crucial for getting your climber plants to grow their biggest and fullest.
I’ll explain the plant science behind why trellis supports are crucial for getting your climber plants to grow their biggest and fullest.
So let’s get going with this DIY on how to make attractive plant climber supports using natural materials, and why it’s important for optimum growth.
DIY Mini Trellis Ideas for Potted Plants
Adding a mini trellis to a potted plant is an excellent way to provide support for climbing vines and trailing varieties. Mini trellises are the perfect size for houseplants or smaller outdoor containers. With just a few simple and inexpensive materials, you can create cute DIY trellises to beautifully display potted plants.
Benefits of Mini Trellises for Potted Plants
Mini trellises offer both form and function for container plants
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Provides support for thin vines to climb upwards. This allows the plant to grow taller and prevents sagging.
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Keeps top-heavy plants from toppling over by providing an anchor point to cling to.
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Elevates low-growing trailers and cascaders to showcase them better. Gets these plants up off the ground.
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Creates an anchor for plants to latch aerial roots onto. Certain vining plants grow these to attach to supports.
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Adds decorative interest to plain pots. The trellis becomes an attractive design feature.
Suitable plants for mini trellises include ivy, philodendrons, pothos, peas, cucumbers, tomatoes, and more. Match the scale and height of the trellis to the size of your pot and plant.
Easy DIY Materials for Mini Trellises
Many household items can be repurposed into small trellises:
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Twigs, branches, bamboo – Cut into short stakes or tied into tepees
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Floral wire, pipe cleaners – Twist into shapes
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Popsicle sticks, craft sticks – Glue into lattice shapes
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Twine, jute, raffia – Wrap around stakes
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Old utensils, cutlery – Bend into shapes
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Egg cartons, berry baskets – Cut apart to make lattice
For outdoor use, choose weather-resistant materials like bamboo, metal, and woods like birch or redwood. Indoors, anything goes – get creative repurposing household items!
Creative Ways to Make Mini Trellises
Here are some fun and easy DIY ideas for mini trellises for potted plants:
Simple Bamboo Tripod
Gather 3 bamboo sticks or wooden dowels of equal length. Arrange them into a teepee shape. Use jute twine to bind the tops together. Push the ends directly into the potting mix.
Metal Wire Coil
Wrap flexible wire, like florist wire, around a cylinder like a jar to create a loose coil shape. Make the coils open enough for vines to thread through. Poke the wire ends into the soil to secure.
Chopstick Ladder
Hot glue or wire chopsticks, skewers, or popsicle sticks horizontally across short bamboo posts. The rungs create a ladder effect perfect for delicate vines.
Twisted Wire Arch
Bend and twist flexible wire into a freestanding arch shape. Place the ends into the potting mix or affix to the container sides with floral putty.
Fork Trellis Panel
Hot glue the tines of plastic forks back-to-back to form a lattice panel. Prop up against a stake in the pot or lean against the pot’s rim.
Picture Frame Grid
Reuse mini picture frames by removing the glass and backing. Hot glue them together into a geometric grid that provides vines with square openings to climb through.
Garden Staple Loops
Hammer u-shaped garden staples into wooden chopsticks positioned vertically around the inside of pots. The metal loops make perfect anchors for tendrils to grip.
Twig Obelisk
Tie three twigs or branches together at the top using twine to create a tall obelisk shape. Place the base ends a few inches apart in the potting mix.
Paddle Pop Sticks
Weave craft sticks or paddle pop sticks into a diamond pattern. Lean the lattice piece against a short dowel stuck in the potting mix.
Get creative with materials you already have to make inexpensive mini trellises that perfectly suit your potted plants! The options are endless.
Helpful Tips for Mini DIY Trellises
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Make sure the trellis is proportional to the pot size so it doesn’t overwhelm or look undersized.
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For outdoor trellises, use weatherproof materials that won’t degrade in the elements.
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Securely anchor the trellis in the potting mix so it stays upright and doesn’t blow over.
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Give young vines guidance by gently winding them around the trellis until they attach on their own.
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Consider painting the trellis a bright color to contrast beautifully with green foliage.
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If using found sticks, bake or soak them first to kill off any bugs or diseases.
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Periodically inspect the trellis for damage and make repairs as needed to keep it functional.
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For a living trellis, use branches that root easily in water like pussy willow or forsythia.
Mini trellises are simple, inexpensive DIY projects that add beauty and functionality to potted plants. Let your creativity run wild dreaming up ways to fashion cute trellises from materials you already have at home. Soon you’ll have thriving climbers and trailers showcased on their very own unique trellis masterpieces!
Potted plant trellis – Hoya backstory
A couple months ago I bought a beautiful Wax plant, Hoya pubicalyx Splash from a local nursery. This plant is crazy vigorous and much more upward-vining than any other Hoya I’ve experienced. If you leave it next to something tall and narrow, it will reach out and try to wrap itself around in no time.
This Hoya wax plant came in a standard plastic nursery liner pot with plastic hanger, and sorry but that just won’t do. Plus, the leaves down at the ends of its tendrils are really small and spread out, which is an indicator that it would be happier climbing than hanging.
So it’s high time to get it transplanted and repotted into a permanent home.
Based on the rate its’ been growing, this means I need a fairly tall trellis. (I’ve already rooted cuttings from it for a friend, and you certainly can’t tell it’s missing any foliage.)
My new Hoya pubicalyx ‘Splash’ in a short, plastic nursery hanger and pot.
Just say NO to unattractive plastic nursery hangers that detract from your decor. 🙂
Watch me create the trellis in the video below:
So if you read this far and you’re a concerned plant parent, you may be asking:
Small DIY Trellis
FAQ
How to add a trellis to a potted plant?
- Pull the tops of your stakes toward the center, crossing over each other by about 2-3 inches.
- Secure the crossing stakes together by using a heavy gauge wire.
- Now that your teepee is secured, use your pencil to mark each stake 4 inches above the soil.
What can I use for a mini trellis?
- Wooden Stakes : Use untreated wooden stakes or branches. They can be sourced from your yard or purchased inexpensively at garden centers.
- Bamboo Poles : These are lightweight, sturdy, and often affordable.
- Wire Fencing : Use sections of wire fencing or chicken wire.
- PVC Pipes : If you have some PVC pipes, they can b
How to make a homemade plant trellis?
- Using pen and paper sketch out the idea you want to create.
- Measure and cut the wire.
- Shape the wire by hand or use circular objects as a guide.
- Wrap twine around the wire as a finishing touch.
- Stick it into the houseplant of your choice!
What can you use instead of trellis?
The alternative to a traditional wooden trellis is to use rope planters, metal trellis, or make your own.Jul 10, 2024