Baltic Blue Pothos is one of the newest and trendiest varieties of pothos. A cultivar of the Epipremnum pinnatum, this houseplant adds a touch of color to any room and will become a veritable centerpiece when it reaches maturity. Although it’s rarer than other cultivars, it’s a beginner-friendly plant, well-worth adding to your collection.
This plant stands out among other pothos varieties in the shape and color of the leaves. The narrow, dark green leaves have a bluish hue that becomes more noticeable as the plant matures in the right light conditions. The leaves also develop splits or fenestrations at an earlier age compared to other cultivars.
Read on to learn more about the growing conditions required to help your Baltic Blue Pothos reach its full potential.
What Is the Origin?
Despite the name, Baltic Blue Pothos does not come from the Baltic Sea region. Instead, it was discovered in a nursery in Southeast Asia several years ago by Mike Rimland, Director of Research and Development for Houseplants at Costa Farms.
After another three years of developing and propagating this cultivar, Costa Farms released it in early 2022 as part of their Trending Tropicals® collection under the name of Baltic Blue Pothos.
Baltic Blue Pothos Care Guide
This is a low-maintenance, fast-growing houseplant. Unpretentious by nature, it can tolerate low light and will have no trouble growing in average home temperatures and humidity. It’s also versatile and adaptable and can be left trailing or encouraged to climb.
Let’s take a closer look at how to care for this plant.
Light
The Baltic Blue plant has moderate light requirements. It grows best in bright indirect light but won’t mind low light conditions either. Avoid exposing it to direct sun, as this will make the leaves lose their blue tint and revert to plain green.
The best location for your new pothos is east or west-facing rooms, about 3 to 4 feet away from an unobstructed window.
Soil
Epipremnum pinnatum Baltic Blue needs a well-draining, nutrient-rich potting mix. The soil should have a chunky consistency to facilitate fast drainage. But it should also retain some moisture to prevent the plant from wilting.
Costa Farms uses a unique potting mix for their Blue pothos plants, including coco coir, shredded wood fiber, and slow-release fertilizer. In addition, you can use a pre-made aroid soil mix or create your own for your plant.
The easiest “soil recipe” for all pothos varieties is a mix of equal parts universal potting soil, orchid bark, and perlite or pumice. The orchid bark prevents the soil from compacting and facilitates drainage and air circulation around the roots.
Perlite and pumice help retain soil moisture while also improving drainage and aeration.
Add a handful of horticultural charcoal to your homemade potting mix to keep the roots healthy. This material helps the plants absorb nutrients from the soil, and protects the roots from harmful fungi and bacteria.
Water
Water when the top 2 inches (5 cm) of the soil feel dry to the touch. The soak and drain method is the correct way to water this plant. Slowly pour water through the pot until it starts dripping from the drainage holes.
This ensures that the potting mix is evenly moist and dislodges low-oxygen air pockets from the soil.
Baltic Blue Pothos is very sensitive to overwatering; as with all pothos varieties, letting the soil dry out a bit between waterings rather than keeping the soil soaking wet is better. If the soil is saturated with water, the roots will start rotting, and the leaves of your pothos will turn yellow.
Keep in mind that overwatering is not caused by how much water you give your pothos but by how often you do it. Also, if the soil you use is too compacted, this will keep the roots wet longer, which results in root rot.
Temperature
Baltic Blue can tolerate a temperature range between 65°F and 85°F (18°C to 29°C). It will thrive in the average home temperature but will struggle to grow in temperatures below 55°F (13°C).
Avoid exposing the plant to sudden hot and cold drafts or keeping it next to a radiator, an air conditioning unit, or a heating vent. Sudden temperature changes will shock the plant and cause it to droop and shed its leaves.
If you want to grow this plant outdoors, you can do so in USDA zones 10 and higher. Otherwise, keep it outdoors in a pot throughout summer, and bring it indoors when the weather gets too cold.
Humidity
These plants are not pretentious about humidity but will grow best if humidity levels are around 50% – 60%. Moist air will encourage faster growth and larger leaves and also reduce the risk of pests such as spider mites.
The easiest way to increase humidity for your pothos is to keep it on top of a pebble tray half-filled with water or group it with other humidity-loving plants, such as ferns and Calatheas.
Fertilizer
This pothos benefits from a monthly fertilizer application during its growing season. You can feed the plant from early spring until early fall, using a liquid fertilizer for foliage plants, diluted to half strength.
The plant does not need any fertilizers in winter when it enters a brief period of dormancy. But if you’re using grow lights during the darker months, your pothos will continue to send out new growth, and you can keep feeding it every month.
Pruning and Maintenance
These plants have a faster growth rate. Regularly pruning will help maintain its shape and give it a bushy look, especially if you’re growing it as a tabletop plant. If the pothos is becoming a bit leggy, you can trim the longer stems and propagate them to create new plants.
Once every 4 to 6 weeks, you can also give your Baltic Blue plant a shower. This helps wash the dust from the foliage, dislodge pests such as spider mites and aphids, and flush out fertilizer salts and minerals that have built up in the soil. Shower your plant for a few minutes, then allow the excess water to drain before putting the pot back on its stand.
Repotting Baltic Blue Plants
These houseplants need to be repotted once every 2 to 3 years. Like all pothos varieties, it doesn’t mind being a bit root-bound. However, if the plant runs out of space for new roots, its growth will become stunted, and the plant’s overall health will suffer.
The easiest way to tell when to repot is by checking the underside of the pot. If you can see the roots coming out through the drainage holes, move the plant to a container one size bigger or 2 inches (5 cm) wider.
If you’ve just brought your pothos home and notice that it’s a bit rootbound, wait at least two weeks before repotting it. This will give the plant time to acclimatize to its new growing environment and reduce the risk of transplant shock.
Always repot in a container with drainage holes. You can use any pot material you like, but keep in mind that it will have an impact on your watering schedule.
Plastic pots keep the soil moist for longer, so you’ll need to water the plant less frequently. On the other hand, clay and terracotta pots are porous and wick out moisture from the soil, which means that your plant will dry out faster and need to be watered more often.
Propagating Baltic Blue Pothos
You can propagate Baltic Blue Pothos from stem cuttings. First, cut a long vine into single-node sections, then root the cutting in soil or water. The cuttings don’t take long to grow roots; you can plant them in the soil after 3 to 4 weeks.
Check out our pothos propagation guide for more details.
Common Problems
Baltic Blue Pothos is a tough plant and rarely suffers from pests or diseases. However, you’ll come across common pests: spider mites, mealybugs, scale, and thrips.
A simple solution of 4 parts water and 1 part 70% isopropyl alcohol, applied weekly, is enough to get rid of spider mites, mealybugs, and scale. However, using a systemic pesticide will get the best results for thrips.
The most common plant care problems are caused by a combination of poor draining soil and frequent watering.
This will result in yellowing leaves, soft, brown spots, and root rot. Always use an aerated, well-draining potting mix for your pothos, and wait until the soil has dried up to a depth of 2 inches (5 cm) before watering again.
1.) Leaves Have No Fenestrations
All pothos plants produce split leaves as they reach maturity, and the Baltic Blue leaves fenestrate earlier than other varieties. But if the newest leaves on your Baltic Blue Pothos have no fenestrations, this could indicate that the plant needs something to climb on.
The best way to encourage large, well-defined leaf splits is to grow your pothos on a sphagnum moss pole.
2.) Leaves Are Turning Green
The leaves of Baltic Pothos will lose their unique blue coloring if they’re exposed to too much sunlight. Therefore, keep the plant in bright indirect light, but avoid direct sunlight exposure or keeping it too close to the window.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Epipremnum pinnatum Baltic Blue Toxic?
The ASPCA¹ omits Epipremnum pinnatum in its list of plants that are toxic to cats and dogs. However, all species of pothos (Epipremnum) contain toxic calcium oxalate crystals.
If ingested, they cause swelling of the mouth and throat, difficulty breathing, nausea, and vomiting. To prevent accidents, always keep Baltic Blue Pothos away from pets.
How Big Does a Baltic Blue Plant Get?
The Baltic Blue Pothos can grow up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) long. Its fast growth rate can reach that size in less than three years, especially when provided with the right growing conditions.
Are Blue Pothos Plants Rare?
The Baltic Blue Pothos is a new cultivar of the Epipremnum pinnatum. Although it’s not as common as Golden Pothos, it’s not so rare that only avid collectors can get their hands on it.
Costa Farms released this cultivar in early 2022, and already you can find it for sale in many shops and online platforms.
You can also find individuals selling reasonably priced cuttings in online houseplant communities.
Is There a Variegated Baltic Blue Pothos?
There is no official version that has variegation. If you notice light yellow streaks on your Blue Pothos leaves, these can result from a nutrient deficiency or a fungal issue.
If you’re after a similar plant with variegation, look for the Epipremnum pinnatum Albo Variegata cultivar.
Does a Baltic Blue Climb?
You can grow this pothos as a climbing or trailing plant. Keeping it as a trailing plant in a hanging basket or a wall planter will result in smaller leaves over time.
But if you give it something to climb on, such as a totem, a trellis, or better yet, a moss pole, the plant will produce larger leaves with well-defined fenestrations.
Is Baltic Blue Pothos the Same as Cebu Blue?
Baltic Blue and Cebu Blue pothos are cultivars of the same species (Epipremnum pinnatum) but are different plants. The main difference between them is leaf color and growth.
Cebu Blue leaves have a silvery blue color, while Baltic Blue leaves are a darker, blue-green color. Also, Baltic Blue Pothos leaves will produce fenestrations earlier than Cebu Blue.
References
1.) Devils Ivy. (n.d.). ASPCA. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/devils-ivy
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Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.