To train climbing plants up a wall, stick adhesive clips to a clean, smooth surface along the route you want, let the adhesive set, then loop each clip around the stem just behind a leaf node, spacing clips roughly every 6 to 12 in (15 to 30 cm) as a rule of thumb. Our plant wall clips for climbing plants come 30 to a set in three opening sizes, 0.39, 0.59 and 0.78 in (1, 1.5 and 2 cm), with twist-open buckles, and they’re made for light indoor vines such as pothos and ivy rather than heavy stems.
The rest of this guide covers which surfaces work, how to pick clip sizes and spacing for different plants, where on the stem to clip, and how to remove clips later.
How plant wall clips work
Each clip has two parts: a flat base with adhesive already applied, and a small buckle that twists open, wraps around a stem and closes again. The base holds the clip to the surface; the buckle holds the vine loosely in place. Because the buckle reopens, you can free a stem to prune it, check growth or change its direction without pulling it through a fixed ring.
The clips guide a vine; they aren’t designed to carry a plant. Keep the pot on a shelf, sill or plant stand and let the clips do the steering. No load rating is given for the clips, so don’t hang pots, baskets or heavy branches from them.
| Clip size | In the set | Height | Base | Stem opening |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 10 | 0.98 in (2.5 cm) | 0.66 in (1.7 cm) | 0.39 in (1 cm) |
| Medium | 10 | 1.37 in (3.5 cm) | 0.78 in (2 cm) | 0.59 in (1.5 cm) |
| Large | 10 | 1.57 in (4 cm) | 0.98 in (2.5 cm) | 0.78 in (2 cm) |
Which surfaces work, and the painted-wall question
Adhesive clips need a surface that is clean, dry, smooth and non-porous. For these clips that means glass, metal, marble or smooth finished wood. They’re not meant for rough brick, textured walls, or surfaces that are wet, dusty, uneven or peeling, and they aren’t for outdoor anchoring. If you searched for ivy clips for a brick wall, these aren’t the right fit.
Painted drywall isn’t on the recommended list. If you want to try a smooth painted wall anyway, test one clip in a hidden spot first, such as behind a dresser or inside a closet, and leave it for a few days. Adhesive clips can lift paint when they’re removed, especially on flat or freshly painted walls; a common rule of thumb is to give new paint at least a couple of weeks to cure before sticking anything to it.
Window glass, a mirror, a metal shelf upright or the smooth side of a wooden bookcase are dependable places to start a vine if your walls are textured.
Choosing clip sizes and spacing for your plant
Pick an opening comfortably bigger than the stem, since stems thicken as they grow. A rule of thumb is that the stem should fill no more than about half to two-thirds of the opening. Space clips closer at curves and corners, and farther apart on straight runs. The spacings below are starting points, not fixed rules.
| Plant | Stem | Clip size to start | Spacing (rule of thumb) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pothos | Flexible, medium | Medium; large as it thickens | 8 to 12 in (20 to 30 cm) | Leaves often grow larger as it climbs |
| Heartleaf philodendron | Thin, flexible | Small or medium | 6 to 10 in (15 to 25 cm) | Light and easy to steer |
| English ivy (indoors) | Thin, gets woody with age | Small | 6 to 8 in (15 to 20 cm) | Rootlets can cling to walls and leave marks |
| Satin pothos | Medium | Medium | 8 to 10 in (20 to 25 cm) | Grows more slowly than pothos |
| Hoya | Thin but firm | Small or medium | 6 to 8 in (15 to 20 cm) | Bend gently; leave flower spurs on the vine |
| Arrowhead vine | Thickens with age | Large | 6 to 8 in (15 to 20 cm) | May outgrow clips; move to a pole later |
| Large climbing monstera | Thick and heavy | Not suitable | n/a | Use a moss pole or trellis instead |
How many clips you need
Divide the length of the route by your spacing, then add a few for curves. At 8 to 10 in spacing, all 30 clips cover roughly 20 to 25 ft (6 to 7.5 m) of vine. If one plant only suits one size, you have 10 of that size, which covers roughly 7 to 8 ft at the same spacing. Two or three plants with different stem thicknesses use the set most evenly.
Step by step: how to train climbing plants up a wall
Plan the route
Decide where the vine should go before anything gets stuck down. Vines grow toward light, so a route that rises toward a window works with the plant. Mark planned clip spots with small pieces of removable tape. Put the first clip within about 6 in (15 cm) of the pot rim so the stem isn’t stretched across open air.
Clean and dry the surface
Wipe glass or metal with a little rubbing alcohol and let it dry completely. On finished wood or marble, use a cloth barely dampened with water and a drop of mild soap instead, then dry it, since alcohol can dull some wood finishes. Work at normal room temperature; adhesive bonds poorly to cold surfaces.
Press the clips on and wait
Peel the protective film, place the base and press firmly for about 30 seconds. Then leave the clip alone to let the adhesive set before attaching the vine; a common rule of thumb for adhesive mounts is to wait about 24 hours.
Clip behind a node
A node is the bump on the stem where a leaf and often a small aerial root grow. Place the buckle around the stem just behind a node, between leaves, so the node rests against the clip and the leaf faces out toward the room or the light. Clip the main stem, never a leaf stalk, and leave a little slack so the vine isn’t pulled tight between clips.
Wait on new growth
The soft tip of a vine bruises easily. Let a new section firm up for a week or two before clipping it.
Living with a wall-trained vine
- Check clips every few weeks. As stems thicken, open the buckle and move to a larger size so the clip never pinches.
- Prune just above a node to encourage branching; the cuttings root easily in water for new plants.
- Watch the aerial roots. Pothos and ivy roots sometimes attach to a wall and can leave small marks when pulled away. Routing the vine along clips rather than pressed into the paint helps.
- Dust the leaves with a soft damp cloth now and then.
- Pets and kids: pothos, philodendron and ivy are commonly listed as toxic to cats and dogs if chewed, so a wall route that keeps vines out of reach can help. Store spare clips away from small children and pets.
Removing clips without damage
Open the buckle and free the stem first. Then, for the base, warm the adhesive for a few seconds with a hair dryer on a low setting and peel slowly, pulling back along the surface rather than straight out. On glass or metal, sliding dental floss behind the base and sawing gently also works. Clean leftover residue from glass or metal with rubbing alcohol; on other finishes, test any remover in a hidden spot first.
On painted walls, warming and a slow peel reduce the chance of lifting paint but can’t rule it out. Our guide to hanging decorations without damaging walls covers the same trade-offs for party decor.
For more small home projects, see our guide on how to install drawer knobs, or browse our home and everyday finds.
Step by step
- Plan the route
Mark clip spots with removable tape, rising toward the light, with the first clip within about 6 in of the pot rim.
- Pick clip sizes
Choose openings the stem fills only about half to two-thirds of, so it has room to thicken.
- Clean and dry the surface
Use rubbing alcohol on glass or metal, or a barely damp cloth with mild soap on finished wood or marble, then dry fully.
- Press each clip on
Peel the film, place the base and press firmly for about 30 seconds at room temperature.
- Let the adhesive set
Leave the clips unloaded before attaching the vine; about 24 hours is a common rule of thumb.
- Clip behind the nodes
Twist each buckle around the main stem just behind a node, leaving a little slack.
- Check and adjust
Every few weeks, reopen buckles to move or upsize clips as the vine grows.
Frequently asked questions
Will plant wall clips stick to painted walls?
Painted walls aren't on the recommended list, which is glass, metal, marble and finished smooth wood. If you try a smooth painted wall, test one clip in a hidden spot first, because adhesive can lift paint when removed.
Can I use these clips on a brick wall or outdoors?
No. They're for smooth indoor surfaces and light vines. Rough brick, textured or dusty surfaces and outdoor anchoring aren't suitable.
How far apart should plant clips be?
A rule of thumb is every 6 to 12 in (15 to 30 cm) along the stem, closer on curves and corners and on thin, floppy stems, farther apart on straight runs.
Which clip size is right for pothos?
Start with the medium 0.59 in opening for typical pothos stems and move to the large 0.78 in clips as the vine thickens. Thin new stems can use the small 0.39 in clips.
How much vine can 30 clips handle?
At 8 to 10 in spacing, roughly 20 to 25 ft of vine in total. Since there are 10 of each size, one plant that only suits one size gets about 7 to 8 ft of route.
Can I reposition the clips as the plant grows?
The buckles open and close, so you can free and move the stem any time. Plan base positions carefully, though, because adhesive generally doesn't stick as well a second time.
Will the clips hurt the plant?
Not if they're sized loosely and checked. A clip that's too tight can pinch a stem as it thickens, so reopen and upsize clips every few weeks.
Can plant clips hold cables too?
They can organize lightweight cables around a plant display, but no load rating is given, so keep them to light cords and vines.
