How to Support Cannabis Plants: Stakes, Trellis Netting, Cages and Yo-Yos

To support a cannabis plant against a wall or fence, or out in the open, the go-to options are bamboo stakes and soft ties, string, trellis netting, plant cages, tomato cages and plant yo-yos. Tying your plant to a vertical structure is a handy way to make the most of your grow space while keeping growth healthy and under control. Plant supports are especially useful if you're growing in tight quarters or want to keep your plants discreet and tidy.

Securing your plants to a vertical structure can also improve light exposure, boost airflow and make the plant easier to handle throughout its growth cycle.

1. Support your plants with string and stakes

Growers can use simple tools like bamboo canes and string to support their plants and keep them growing healthy, indoors or out.

Bamboo stakes

Bamboo stakes are a cheap, effective way to keep the main stem upright and stop branches from bending under the weight of big buds. They work great for indoor and outdoor grows, and you can use them for extra support when the buds start getting too heavy.

Just push several stakes into the soil around the plant and use soft garden ties to fasten the branches to them, leaving room for the branches to grow. If you're growing in containers, you can tape the stakes to the rim of the pot, forming a ring around the plant for extra support.

String

String is another really useful plant support for holding up big colas, especially on large sativa plants grown outdoors. This method doesn't need any extra stakes or canes.

If a branch looks like it's about to snap, you can use string to take some of the weight off. Tie one end of the string to the struggling branch and the other end to a higher point on the main stem. This works best on plants with sturdy stems that can handle the extra load.

Things to keep in mind outdoors

Remember that anything you use to support your plants outdoors will be exposed to the weather. Bamboo stakes, for example, can rot after long exposure to rain and pass diseases on to your plants.

If you live somewhere rainy, consider alternative materials like fiberglass stakes. Likewise, avoid string that breaks down easily or can rot over time.

2. Trellis netting

Trellises are an effective way to support cannabis plants as they grow, spreading out the buds, making the most of your grow space and giving the plants structural support.

Trellis netting for indoor grows

In indoor grows, trellises can be vertical, running alongside the plants, or horizontal, hung above the canopy. SCROG (Screen of Green) is the go-to method for horizontal trellising, where most of the plant's growth ends up above the net.

It takes a moderate level of skill, since it involves pruning and training the plants' growth. And if the net isn't placed right, it can block light and airflow and hold your plants back. So it's not the best option for beginners, unless they're up for a challenge.

Plant cages for outdoor grows

Cannabis plant cages are another excellent way to hold up heavy buds in outdoor grows. Made of sturdy garden mesh, these cages go around the plants, letting branches grow through the gaps for extra support.

You can fasten them to the rim of the container if you grow in pots, or just push them into the ground if you're growing straight in the soil.

3. Tomato cages

Wire tomato cages are a practical way to support cannabis branches, especially outdoors. They're designed for tomato plants, which have a different shape than cannabis, but with a little creativity you can make them work.

How to adapt tomato cages for cannabis

Tomato cages are usually narrow at the bottom and wide at the top, while cannabis plants are the opposite. To use them, tie the lower branches to the cage with string, Velcro or zip ties, like in the first method. This approach may not be ideal for young plants indoors, since the cage could block light from your grow lights.

Why tomato cages work outdoors

Tomato cages offer similar protection to plant cages, but they're sturdier and ready to go out of the box. They're especially handy outdoors, where plants face storms and strong winds, giving extra protection without having to anchor them into the ground.

4. Plant yo-yos

Plant yo-yos are a simple, effective way to support cannabis plants with minimal interference to their structure. These spring-loaded reels have a small plastic hook on the end of a cord, and they hang from the top of your grow tent.

Yo-yos let the tent frame carry part of the plants' weight, spreading the load evenly without damaging anything. If you grow in a tent or closet, plant yo-yos are the easiest and most efficient way to hold up heavy buds.