Cebu Blue pothos or Epipremnum pinnatum ‘Cebu Blue’ is a tropical houseplant with oval, silvery-blue leaves. It’s just as easy to grow as other pothos varieties but packs more decorative appeal due to its unique foliage color.
Plants with blue leaves are a rare sight in nature, and this blue pothos species is one of the special few. Luckily, it doesn’t need a special care regime, which means it can liven up any home with a touch of color and texture.
Read on to learn about the Cebu Blue pothos growing and care requirements.
What Is Cebu Blue Pothos?
Cebu Blue pothos is a variety of Epipremnum pinnatum or the Centipede Tongavine plant. It is native to the island of Cebu in the Philippines, growing in tropical forests and even in people’s gardens.
In its natural habitat, this vine can reach a height of up to 40 feet long (12 meters), with leaves almost 20 inches (50 cm) long.
What makes this plant unique among other pothos varieties is its foliage. The leaves are narrow and oval-shaped and have a gorgeous silvery-blue color. In the right light, you may also notice that they have a faint shimmer.
The leaf veins are well-defined and give the foliage a slightly corrugated texture.
As an indoor plant, it typically grows to a length of 10 – 13 feet (3 to 4 meters). You can let its vines trail or hang (perfect for a hanging basket), but remember that this plant loves climbing like all Epipremnum species.
The leaves will become more prominent and develop dramatic, Monstera-like fenestrations if you give it a moss pole.
Cebu Blue Pothos Care Guide
Cebu Blue Pothos is an unpretentious houseplant. It’s fast-growing and resistant to most pests and diseases. However, it can suffer when planted in the wrong soil mix or if you keep it in a dark corner of your home.
Here’s what you need to know about Cebu Blue growing requirements.
Light
This pothos plant needs bright indirect sunlight to thrive. To meet its light requirements, keep it in a west or an east-facing room, about 2 – 3 feet away from the window.
Avoid putting this plant in a part of your home that’s too dark or too bright. Low light conditions will stunt its growth, causing small leaves and bare, leggy stems. Direct sun exposure will scorch the foliage and can also lead to leaves losing their iconic bluish color.
Soil
Plant in well-draining, moisture-retentive soil. Although this is a tropical plant, it’s also an epiphyte. This means that it does not tolerate drought but is deathly sensitive to soil that stays wet all the time.
The best way to keep it healthy is by using the right type of substrate.
If you live in a hot climate or if your home is a bit dry, use a mix of two parts peat-based potting mix and one-part perlite. This mix has good drainage but retains moisture for longer periods, which prevents the plant from wilting.
A chunkier mix is the best soil mix for your pothos if your home is a bit more humid and has low light or if you tend to overwater your plants. Combine a mixture of equal parts potting soil, perlite, and orchid bark.
This mix dries faster between each watering session and helps prevent problems such as root rot.
Water
This is a house plant with moderate water requirements. First, allow the soil to dry out to a depth of 2 inches (5 cm), then give the plant a good soak. Make sure to get the soil evenly moist by slowly pouring water into the pot until it drips through the drainage holes.
Never let the soil dry out completely. This pothos variety won’t mind if you forget to water it for a few days. But if underwatering is a regular occurrence, the plant will become weaker and more susceptible to pests and diseases. So, keep to a regular watering schedule.
Also, avoid excess water to help prevent root rot.
Temperature
Keep your Cebu Blue in a temperature range of 65°F and 85°F (18°C to 29°C). Like most tropical plants, it will stop growing if temperatures drop below 55°F (13°C), and can suffer permanent damage if kept in temperatures below 50°F (10°C) for several days in a row.
Humidity
Cebu Blue pothos is not too fussy about humidity, so it will have no problems growing in most homes. However, this plant will be pleased if the ambient humidity levels are above 40%.
However, in dry homes or if the humidity is lower than 30%, you may notice brown, dry leaf tips. Usually, a consistent watering routine and a suitable potting mix are generally enough to fix this problem.
Alternatively, try placing the pot on top of a pebble tray half-filled with water, which will boost air moisture around your plant.
Fertilizer
It is a vigorous grower, so it needs regular pothos fertilizer applications to reach its full potential. For best results, feed it using a liquid, nitrogen-rich fertilizer from early spring until early fall.
Always check the fertilizer label for instructions on dosage and how often to use it. Depending on the manufacturer and the type of fertilizer you use, you can apply it once every two weeks or on a weekly to monthly basis.
Light is one of the main factors that trigger pothos growth. During the darker, colder months, this plant will enter a brief period of dormancy, so you can stop feeding it. However, if you’re using grow lights, you can keep fertilizing it even in the fall and winter.
Pruning and Maintenance
In the right conditions, this plant can grow at least 2 feet (60 cm) in length each year. Prune your pothos’ longer vines in late spring or early summer, and use them for propagation. Trimming also helps keep give the plant a contained, bushy shape.
If you use synthetic fertilizers more than once a month, we recommend flushing the soil at least once a year, preferably in spring. This will remove excess salts and minerals from the soil and helps keeps the roots healthy.
To flush out the soil:
- Place the pot in a sink or shower.
- Slowly run water through the soil for at least 5 minutes.
- Leave the pot to drain for another 15 – 20 minutes, then put it back in its usual spot.
Repotting
You will need to repot Cebu Blue once every two years. This plant has a fast growth rate, and although it won’t mind being a bit rootbound, keeping it in the same pot for many years will cause yellowing leaves and stunted growth.
When you can see the roots come out through the drainage holes, move the plant to a pot that’s one size bigger or 2 inches (5 cm) wider. Always check that the new container has drainage holes.
The best time to repot pothos “Cebu Blue” is in spring or early summer.
Cebu Blue Pothos Propagation Guide
You can use stem cuttings to propagate Cebu Blue Pothos and make new plants.
First, take a sharp pair of scissors and disinfect the blades with rubbing alcohol.
Next, trim about ⅔ of the longest vines, then cut them into single-node cuttings. Put the cuttings in a glass of water, and keep them in a warm, bright room, but away from direct sunlight.
When the roots are at least 2 inches (5 cm) long, you can transplant them into a well-draining potting mix.
Discover more tips and tricks in our complete pothos propagation guide.
5 Common Problems to Avoid
Cebu Blue Pothos rarely has problems with pests and diseases. But if you’re not careful about meeting its growing requirements, it can develop several health problems. Here’s what you should watch out for.
1.) Pests
The most common pests for Cebu Blue Pothos are spider mites, mealybugs, thrips, and scale. These pests will cause leaf discoloration and stunted growth. A pest infestation can be fatal if poor growing conditions weaken the plant.
If you suspect your plant is sick, isolate it immediately and inspect the top and bottom of each leaf.
To get rid of spider mites, scale, and mealybugs, spray the leaves with a solution of 1 part 70% isopropyl alcohol and 4 parts water. Repeat the treatment once a week for a month.
If your plant has thrips, trim the infested leaves. Thrip larvae live inside the leaf tissue, so removing the sick leaves is the best way to contain their spread. After trimming the plant, spray it with a systemic pesticide.
2.) Yellowing Leaves
Leaves turning yellow can have many reasons, but the most common cause is a watering issue. You are either giving the plant too much or too little water. Other causes could include pests, low light, and nutrient deficiencies.
Yellowing leaves are the most common pothos problem, and the only way to fix it is to identify the exact cause.
3.) Curling Leaves
If the leaves of your Cebu Blue Pothos are curling, that means that the plant is thirsty. Check the soil; if the top 2 inches feel dry to the touch, give it a deep, thorough soak.
However, if the soil is not dry, you may want to check the underside of the leaves. Spider mites and mealybugs can also cause the leaves to start curling.
4.) Leaves Are Turning Dark Green
Cebu Blue Pothos leaves will lose their silvery-blue color if you keep the plant in low-light conditions or if you give it too much sun. Bright indirect light is ideal for this plant.
5.) Leaves Are Getting Smaller
If the leaves of your Cebu Blue Pothos plant are getting smaller, that could indicate that the plant needs more light, more nutrients, or a bigger pot.
However, the leaves can also become smaller even if the plant is healthy. This is common if you keep your pothos as a hanging or trailing plant for several years. The best way to encourage larger leaf growth is to give it a moss pole.
FAQ
Is Cebu Blue Pothos Toxic?
The leaves of Cebu Blue Pothos contain calcium oxalate crystals, which cause painful irritations and gastrointestinal problems if ingested. This plant can be mildly toxic to cats and dogs, so always keep it where they can’t reach it.
Is Cebu Blue Pothos Rare?
Depending on where you live, Cebu Blue Pothos can be a rare plant. This variety has been on the market for many years, but it can still be challenging to find in shops and nurseries.
Your best choice is to look for it online. Most plants are reasonably cheap; if you’re lucky, you may even find a specimen with fenestrated leaves for less than $50.
Does Cebu Blue Pothos Grow Fast?
Cebu Blue Pothos is a very fast grower, even when compared to other pothos varieties. It tends to develop slower in the first months after you buy it.
But once it gets accustomed to its new environment, it will explode with new growth. You can expect it to grow anywhere between 2 and 3 feet in length each year.
How Long Does It Take for Cebu Blue pothos Fenestrations?
Cebu Blue Pothos leaves will become fenestrated when the plant reaches its mature stage. In the wild, this happens when the plant finds a tree and starts climbing it. When growing it indoors, the best way to trigger leaf fenestration is by growing your pothos on a sphagnum moss pole.
With plenty of bright indirect light, regular fertilizing, and using a sphagnum moss pole, you can expect to see large, well-defined fenestrations in less than two years.
But if you don’t use a moss pole, your Cebu Blue will never reach its mature phase, and will never get fenestrated leaves.
What Is the Difference Between Baltic Blue Pothos vs Cebu Blue Pothos?
The main difference between Cebu Blue and Baltic Blue is the leaf color. Cebu Blue leaves are a light, silvery-blue. Meanwhile, Baltic Blue Pothos leaves are a dark, bluish green.
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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.