Pothos plants have long been popular due to their attractive foliage and easy-care nature. Among the wide varieties of pothos, Cebu Blue and Baltic Blue have gained fame thanks to their unique appearance and charming hues.
We’ll delve into the similarities and differences between these two fascinating varieties. A focus will be on their appearance, care requirements, and growth habits. With this knowledge, you can easier decide which plant (Baltic Blue Pothos vs Cebu Blue Pothos) best suits your home and personal preferences.
Origin
Cebu Blue Pothos is known as Epipremnum pinnatum ‘Cebu Blue.’ It originates in the Philippines, Cebu Island, and that’s how it gets its name. The natural habitat of this plant includes tropical forests. It climbs and trails along trees, rocks, and other surfaces.
The Cebu Blue has adapted well to indoor conditions. That makes it a popular choice for houseplant lovers seeking an exotic touch for their homes.
The origin of Baltic Blue is not as well-known as that of Cebu Blue. There are speculations it is a cultivated hybrid from different pothos varieties.
Appearance
Epipremnum pinnatum ‘Cebu Blue’ is famous for its striking blue-green foliage. They set it apart from other pothos varieties. The plant has elongated, arrow-shaped dark green leaves with a subtle silvery sheen.
As the plant matures, its leaves can develop fenestrations – natural holes, like those in Monstera deliciosa.
Baltic Blue Pothos is a lesser-known variety with beautiful heart-shaped leaves. They exhibit a vibrant blue-green hue. This plant’s foliage has a different texture and appearance.
The leaves have a more prominent veining pattern and a somewhat thicker, leathery feel, and medium leaf size.
Growth Habits
Like other pothos varieties, Cebu Blue Pothos is a vigorous grower. Its trailing growth habit makes it an excellent choice for hanging baskets or containers placed on high shelves.
You can train this plant to climb with proper support, such as a trellis or moss pole. That allows you to control its growth and shape according to your preferences.
Baltic Blue has a similar growth habit, exhibiting a trailing or climbing growth pattern. This versatile plant can be grown in hanging basket, placed on shelves, as a tabletop plant, or trained to climb a support structure.
While it might not grow quite as fast as Cebu Blue, it still maintains a lush and full appearance with proper care.
Plant Care Guide: Baltic Blue Pothos vs Cebu Blue Pothos
Light
When comparing Baltic Blue vs Cebu Blue pothos, both varieties thrive in bright indirect light. It helps maintain their distinct colors and supports healthy growth. These plants are quite adaptable and can tolerate lower light conditions.
Yet, they may lose some of their vibrant hues if placed in areas with dim light. Keeping both varieties away from direct sunlight is essential, as this can scorch their leaves and cause damage.
There are subtle differences in how they respond to varying light conditions. Cebu Blue is a little more tolerant of low-light conditions.
Watering
Both Cebu Blue and Baltic Blue have similar watering requirements. They both prefer to have the top inch of soil dry out between waterings.
Overwatering can lead to root rot, which is a common issue for Epipremnum Aureum. A well-draining soil mix and a pot with drainage holes are important to prevent waterlogged conditions.
There are no significant differences in the watering requirements for these two plants. Yet, their individual responses to watering frequency may vary.
For instance, Cebu Blue may be more tolerant of sporadic watering. Baltic Blue might need a more consistent watering schedule to maintain optimal growth and foliage color.
It’s essential to check the moisture levels in the soil and adjust your watering routine. It will ensure the health and well-being of each plant.
Humidity
Both Cebu Blue and Baltic Blue are tropical plants, so they prefer a more humid environment. Yet, they are quite adaptable and can tolerate average indoor humidity levels of 40-60% found in most homes.
Providing consistent humidity helps maintain their vibrant foliage and promotes healthy growth.
There are no significant differences in the humidity requirements, but individual needs vary. For example, Cebu Blue might be more resilient in lower humidity conditions. Baltic Blue could be more sensitive and need higher humidity levels to thrive.
To increase humidity, you can use a humidifier, place a tray of water with pebbles near the plant, or group them with other humidity-loving plants. Regular misting is another option, but be cautious not to overdo it, as excessive moisture can lead to fungal issues. As misting pothos is generally not recommended.
Temperature
Cebu Blue and Baltic Blue Pothos have similar temperature preferences. They thrive in warm temperatures from 65°F to 85°F (18°C to 29°C.)
Both plants can adapt to a range of indoor temperatures. Still, you should protect them from drafts, sudden temperature fluctuations, and temperatures below 50°F (10°C). They can cause stress and damage to the plants.
Fertilization
Both plants enjoy feeding in spring and summer during their growing seasons. Use a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer diluted to half strength. Feed them once a month to help them grow and keep their leaves looking bright and colorful.
Remember, you should avoid giving a pothos fertilizer during winter. That’s because the plants take a break and go through a resting period when it’s cold outside.
Soil
When it comes to soil requirements, the two varieties are pretty similar. Both plants need well-draining soil that holds moisture without getting too soggy.
A good soil mix for these pothos varieties would include peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite. This combination helps create the right balance of water retention, drainage, and air circulation for the plants.
Make sure to choose pots with drainage holes. This will help prevent water from sitting at the bottom and causing problems like root rot.
Propagation
You can propagate both varieties using similar methods. Yet, there might be slight differences in their response to propagation, so let’s take a closer look.
For both varieties, the most common and straightforward method is stem cuttings. Here’s how you can do it:
- Choose a healthy vine from your plant with at least a couple of leaves on it.
- Cut the vine just below a leaf node. Make sure you have a piece with 3-4 nodes on it.
- Remove the bottom leaf or two to expose the nodes.
- Keep the glass in a warm, bright spot, but avoid direct sunlight.
- Change the water every few days to keep it clean and fresh.
- Wait for the roots to grow from the nodes, which can take two or more weeks.
- Once you notice new growth, plant the cuttings in the soil.
Varieties might show slight differences in how fast they root, but that shouldn’t affect your success with propagating. When it comes to propagating these two pothos varieties, the process is quite similar.
Pruning
When it comes to pothos pruning, there might be a few small differences in how they respond to pruning.
Growth Rate
Cebu Blue tends to grow a bit faster. Because of this, you might need to prune it more often to maintain its shape and size. Yet, both plants will benefit from regular pruning to keep them looking neat and tidy.
Pruning Goals
For both varieties, pruning helps encourage bushier growth and prevents the plant from becoming too leggy. You can trim back long stems to the desired length and remove any dead, yellow, or damaged leaves.
Best Time to Prune
The best time to prune both varieties is during their active growing season.
Diseases and Pests
Root rot
Both varieties are susceptible to root rot if they’re overwatered or if the soil doesn’t drain well. Baltic Blue might be more prone to this issue. To avoid root rot, make sure you let the soil dry out a bit between waterings and use a well-draining soil mix.
Fungal infections
Bacterial leaf spots and other fungal infections can harm both varieties if they have too much moisture and poor air circulation. Cebu Blue might be a bit more resistant to these issues. Keep humidity levels in check and avoid overwatering to prevent fungal infections.
Pests
Both pothos varieties can attract common pests, like spider mites, mealybugs, and scale insects. Keep an eye on signs of pests and treat them with insecticidal soap or other safe treatments.
Toxicity
Unfortunately, all varieties of pothos plants are toxic, including these two. They contain calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause digestive problems, vomiting, and even death if ingested in pets and humans ¹.
What Should You Choose
Which plant you should choose, Baltic Blue pothos vs Cebu Blue pothos, really comes down to personal preference. As you now know their care is similar, and you really cannot go wrong with either. So, we say just choose whichever plant appeals to you more visually.
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.