How to choose the perfect cylindrical moss pole size: L vs. XL vs. XXL

A moss pole isn’t a one-size-fits-all accessory. The right size depends on your plant’s species, growth speed, and even your watering habits.

Choosing the right pole size now will save you time and frustration later, so we are diving deep into our popular cylindrical moss pole design to explain how the L, XL, and the XXL pole compare, and how to go about choosing the correct moss pole size! 

Cylindrical moss poles

When it comes to supporting climbing plants, cylindrical moss poles are the classic option. Their simple, rounded design makes them versatile, effective, and easy to use for a wide variety of houseplants. If you’re just getting started with moss pole, or if you want a reliable go-to, cylindrical poles may be exactly what your plant needs.

Their simple screw-type attachment means you need no tools or technical knowledge in order to assemble and disassemble the sections as your plant and pole grow.

They are particularly great for plants growing near windows, with a single strong source of light. Because of their open cage design, they can be rotated as the plant vines are free to grow all around it, enabling you to prevent your plant from leaning permanently in one direction. 

Small vs. large diameter poles: 4, 6, & 8 cm: a deeper look

L-line 4 cm diameter poles:

Our smallest size of moss pole, these were designed for your nursery and propagation shelf. These can fit into even the smaller nursery pots (8cm+), and the small diameter means they don't require a lot of water to get going. Just know this also means they dry out quickly, so you’ll be watering more often, tedious even with a drip cap. At this diameter, you simply cannot hold moisture for long. Their purpose is to support your baby plants, and get them growing into a moss pole, vertically.

Slim and delicate, you can't (or shouldn't) grow all that tall with this moss pole line, as taller, heavier plants and moss will make the pole start to bend, and the small diameter won't take the bending force.

Our L-line kits. Note that the L-line kit is unique in that it will always include the Dripcap.

XL 6 cm diameter poles:

The most flexible and cost-effective pole in our line-up, the XL line provides decent support up to heights of 1 metre (@ 3 feet) unsupported, and much, much taller, if you can attach it to the wall at intervals with a bracket.

These hold more moss and therefore more moisture, making them ideal for bigger or thirstier plants such as the popular Monstera Adansonii (top moss pole plant, btw) or a Syngonium. The XL is the original design we started with and is still one of our most popular moss poles (especially in Olive Green).

The plastic cage of the XL line is calibrated for climbers with thinner stems, think Philodendron and Pothos, but it can buckle if it is bent by a thick-stemmed grower such as a Monstera Deliciosa. These beefy boys can quickly size up in girth, and you'll want a larger diameter pole than the XL to keep them tame.

The XL moss pole that started it all.

8 cm diameter XXL poles:

Our sturdiest, supersized moss pole, this one takes well to extending to impressive heights and pairs well with big, heavy plants. Its greater moss volume means it holds more water, and holds larger aerial roots. It is also far less susceptible to bending due to the massive cross-section, and can extend unsupported far beyond the smaller moss pole lines.

This does not mean you should leave it unattached at the top, as all it will take is a single bump from a curious feline to have your top-heavy treasure keel over and crunch. Moss poles of a great height are an architectural feature, and if it is really tall, it mostly means it has a greater distance to fall :)

This mega construct is our constant recommendation for a mature Monstera Delicious (be it Albo or Thai), for example. 

Our XXL moss pole kits explained here.

XL or XXL? What if you're still not sure?

It's usually pretty clear if you need the petite L poles, but some customers do hesitate between the two XL and XXL sizes. When you see them in person, it's easy to see how much heftier the XXL pole is, but it can be hard to imagine based off numbers, especially if buying moss poles for the first time!

Here are some rules of thumb:

• XL poles: These poles are a great starter moss pole. They are great for medium plants and best for plants that won't need too much water or won't grow too high as they are less stable as they grow (though brackets like the ones pictured above can help).
• XXL poles: These are extra-rigid and wider in diameter. They hold more moss, provide more room for aerial roots, and can support even the heaviest climbers. They will retain moisture for longer and are more stable as you stack them up than the XL, so they are a great choice for climbers who are going to go high! 

TL,DR: If you’re debating between two sizes, always choose the larger. It is more future-proof, and it’s easier to keep moist, so you won't have to rehydrate dried-out moss as often.

Once more about stability...

As moss poles get taller and heavier, stability becomes a bigger concern. Wet moss can significantly increase pole weight, and a plant with heavy leaves and long petioles can lean heavily outward. Using a bracket high up on the pole, attached to a wall or nearby piece of furniture, or bracing with a steel rod or bamboo stake beside the pole can keep the setup steady. Without it, undue bending stress will damage the plastic over time, causing it to snap. A top heavy or unbalanced plant will also tip easily, leading to damaged leaves and tears.

We like to recommend brackets as they are easy-to-use and can be modified to your specific situation quite easily. The ones we have designed can even be used with double-sided tape, a boon for all our renting plant parents.

Get our moss pole bracket here.

Height recommendations for your moss pole kit

For tall climbers, start with a kit that has 1-2 sections more than the height of your plant. The modular design allows you to add simple extensions later as your plant grows, so if you get less than you needed, you can simply purchase extensions separately. 

Conclusions

In a nutshell: XXL is a better fit for a mature plant that's heavier, and it deals better with extending from a stability perspective. However, an XL-pole can also be made more stable with brackets and it's a good all-rounder. However, if you are in-between the two, going for XXL makes sense as "too big" is easier for your plant to grow into.

Still not sure? We also wrote a moss pole houseplant matchmaking guide here that might help: read it on our blog here. You can also send us a message with a picture of your plant for a personalised recommendation, we are happy to help!