Baltic Blue Pothos Vs Cebu Blue Pothos: 7 Key Differences
Pothos of all types are near the top of the list for my favorite plants- I have 5 different types in my collection, with two being Baltic Blue and Cebu Blue pothos. Both these plants have a unique blush tinge of color, and it can be easy to get them confused.
Baltic Blue and Cebu Blue pothos share a few similar features, but they are two different plants. The most noticeable differences between the Baltic Blue pothos vs Cebu Blue pothos are the leaves.
- The Baltic Blue has dark-green, broad leaves with deep fenestrations.
- Cebu Blue leaves have a silver sheen and have a narrow shape and a thinner texture.
In this post, I’ll be breaking down the features that set these two plants apart in my opinion, so you’ll be able to recognize one or the other right away. I’ll also outline the things that are similar about the two- a nearly identical care routine.
Let’s get started!
Key Differences in Baltic Blue Pothos vs Cebu Blue Pothos
Both Baltic Blue and Cebu Blue pothos belong to the Epipremnum pinnatum group. According to The Plant List, there are 15 accepted species in the Epipremnum genus (along with several that aren’t officially recognized by science).
Since Baltic Blue and Cebu Blue pothos belong to the same species, they are very close relatives in the plant world. But Baltic Blue and Cebu Blue are two different plants- much like two siblings are in the same family but are each unique people.
The differences lie in 7 categories:
- Leaf color
- Leaf shape
- Leaf texture
- Growth habit
- Origin
- Repotting Frequency
- Pruning Needs
If you’re in a hurry and don’t have time to read the entire article, here’s a quick breakdown of the differences between Baltic Blue vs Cebu Blue pothos:
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Dark-green leaves with subtle, deep blue undertones |
Lighter green color with a silvery-blue sheen |
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Smooth, high-gloss surface |
Slightly bumpy surface with prominent leaf veins |
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Bushy when young, trailing when mature |
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Found in nature; native to Cebu Island |
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May need routine pruning to control unruly growth |
Now let’s look at these differences in detail:
1. Leaf Color
Both Baltic Blue and Cebu Blue have gorgeous, blue-toned leaves, but the exact color is definitely different between the two.
The Baltic Blue has a deep-green color with dark blue undertones:
The Cebu Blue also has a blue shade, but there’s also a beautiful silvery sheen:
2. Leaf Shape
All pothos plants have a similar leaf shape: a rounded base with a pointy tip. Both Baltic Blue and Cebu Blue do as well- but that’s where the similarities end.
Baltic Blue has the larger and broader leaves of the two. And the truly special features are the dramatic fenestrations, or lobes, on the leaves.
All pothos plants will develop fenestrations given enough time and the perfect growing conditions- although I’ve never seen it myself in a houseplant. But Baltic Blue is unique in that it always develops fenestrations early in its life. And they are stunning:
This photo gives you an idea of the Baltic Blue’s leaf size compared to my hand:
As I mentioned before, Cebu Blue fenestrations can develop, but it’s highly uncommon outside of tropical, sun-drenched climates.
Cebu Blue leaves are closer to a lance shape, which is narrow, elongated and comes to a dramatic point:
The Cebu Blue’s leaves are also quite a bit smaller; here’s a size comparison with my hand:
3. Leaf Texture
Baltic Blue leaves have a glossy, smooth surface with a subtle veining pattern:
Cebu Blue has a bumpier surface, and I think it’s much easier to pick out the leaf veins:
4. Growth Habit
When it’s young, the Baltic Blue pothos has a bushy growth habit. This means that the plant produces most of its growth from the center of the plant, making a mounded or bush-like shape.
As it gets older, the plant develops more trailing growth, meaning that the new growth appears at the tips of existing vines. This makes your Baltic Blue perfect for a shelf or table when it’s small and amazing trailing from a hanging basket or climbing a moss pole when it gets older.
Cebu Blue is a trailing plant right from the start, and it’s perfect for spilling dramatically from a hanging basket or a tall shelf. Another option is to grow vertically on a moss pole or other support structure. This video from Sydney Plant Guy shows a vertically-grown Cebu Blue reaching an incredible size:
5. Origin
Baltic Blue pothos is a lab-created variety developed by plant mega-grower Costa Farms. And it’s pretty new on the scene- it was released for sale in early 2022.
On the other hand, Cebu Blue pothos grows naturally on Cebu Island in the Philippines- which also gave the plant its name. In the wild, you’ll see this lovely vine climbing its way up the rainforest trees in search of sunlight.
6. Repotting Frequency
Since Baltic Blue is so new to the market, repotting frequency is still a bit up in the air. I haven’t had to repot my plant yet, but most sources recommend repotting every 1.5 to 3 years.
Cebu Blue typically needs repotting every 1-2 years, depending on how fast it’s growing in the location you have it in.
But remember that these timeframes are just rough guidelines- the best time to repot your plants is when it needs it. There are some clues that your plant is ready to move to a larger home:
- Root tips poke out through the drainage holes
- Sluggish growth despite normal care
- Unexplained leaf yellowing
- Soil drying out much faster than usual
If you have any questions about how to repot a plant, check out this step-by-step photo repotting guide I put together showing how I do it.
7. Pruning Needs
In its immature stage, Baltic Blue has a mounded growth pattern that doesn’t require any pruning. And even when it starts developing a trailing pattern, the growth typically isn’t too aggressive, so pruning is only necessary if you want to control the shape/size.
Cebu Blue is a true trailing houseplant, and you may need to do routine seasonal pruning to keep the growth under control.
Care Needs For Baltic Blue Pothos and Cebu Blue Pothos
Because they’re so closely related, there’s not much difference in how you take care of these lovely plants. Here are the basic care guidelines you need to know:
Watering
Like all pothos, Baltic Blue and Cebu Blue pothos prefer their soil to dry out a couple of inches deep in between waterings. You can tell when your plant needs water by sticking your finger into the soil. If the top 2 inches of soil feel dry to the touch, it’s time to water. If you feel any dampness, wait and check back again in a day or two.
Lighting
Both of these easy-going plants will tolerate a variety of lighting conditions. But they look their best, with the lushest blue-tinged color, if you keep them in bright indirect lighting. Since that’s such a vague term, here are some examples of bright indirect lighting in your home:
- A few feet back from a south-facing window (north-facing in the Southern hemisphere)
- An east-facing window that gets plenty of morning sun (west-facing in the Southern hemisphere)
- A couple of feet back from a wet-facing window that gets gentle afternoon sun (east-facing in the Southern hemisphere)
In the absence of natural lighting, a grow light running for at least 8 hours a day is a good alternative.
Fertilizing
You don’t need to worry too much about fertilizing your pothos plants- they aren’t picky about soil richness and do well even in somewhat depleted soil. In fact, too much fertilizer can cause yellow or brown spots or even stunt your plant’s growth.
Giving your Baltic Blue or Cebu Blue a dose of diluted houseplant fertilizer 2-3 times a year should be just fine.
Propagation
It’s pretty simple to propagate a pothos plant either in water or soil- they typically root very easily and quickly.
And that’s the case with Baltic Blue and Cebu Blue as well. Cuttings taken in the spring and summer tend to have the best results.
Final Thoughts
love both the Baltic Blue and Cebu Blue, and I’ve found that they each add their own special flair to my houseplant collection. You can’t make a bad choice with either of these beauties- but my personal recommendation is to get both if you have the option!
I’d love to hear from you! Do you have any more questions about Baltic Blue or Cebu Blue pothos or how to take care of them? Or maybe you’ve discovered some helpful tips you’d like to share. Either way, the best way to learn is from each other, so please tell us your thoughts in the comments!
Erinn Witz
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