The look of the Baltic Blue pothos, with its fenestration (slits in the leaves) foliage and cascading vines, will make a classy addition to your indoor plant collection. Owning a Baltic Blue pothos couldn’t be easier; they love the normal household temperatures and enjoy drying out between watering.
Horticulture has been my profession for the past 20 years, and following plant trends spark curiosity while increasing my ever-growing collection. I recently got hold of a Baltic Blue pothos to add to my indoor garden. I love the fenestrations that are similar to the monstera (Swiss cheese plant), plus it’s one of the lowest maintenance plants I own.
Table of Contents
- Is Indirect Light Necessary?
- Is Overwatering Damaging?
- What Soil Mixture is Preferred?
- Do I Have to Adjust My Home Temperature?
- Is 50-60% Humidity Suitable for a Baltic Blue?
- Is Fertilizing Fussy?
- Are Stem Cuttings Advised for Propagating?
- Is the Baltic Blue Pothos Toxic?
- Is Pruning Recommended?
- When Should I Repot My Baltic Blue?
- Problematic Pests and Symptoms
- About the Baltic Blue Pothos
- FAQ
Is Indirect Light Necessary?
Considering its natural habitat is wrapped around the rainforest’s trees, the Baltic Blue pothos does surprisingly well in many light conditions. It grows best in medium and bright indirect sunlight so try to position away from bright light or sunny windows where it will risk scorching in the intense afternoon sun.
If the Baltic Blue is exposed to a few hours of direct sunlight, you will lose that blueish tint it is known for. Place the Baltic blue in bright indirect light for 4-12 hours daily, and you will keep bushier growth.
The Baltic Blue vine will produce leggy growth and stretch if it doesn’t receive the correct amount of light.
You can achieve these light conditions by placing your plant 3 feet away from an east-facing or south-facing window and using a sheer net over the window to diffuse the sunlight.
Is Overwatering Damaging?
One of the low maintenance features of the Baltic Blue plant is that it doesn’t mind drying out a bit between waterings like other pothos plants. You can check the top inch or two of the soil to see if it is moist and water accordingly.
During the warmer months, you can expect to water more frequently. Generally, you will get away with watering once every week or two. A sign of overwatering the pothos is that the deep blue foliage will turn yellow, and the stems will turn black.
Because of the fragile root system of the Baltic Blue pothos, overwatering can severely damage the plant with root rot. The best method of watering when it comes to the Baltic Blue pothos is the soak and drain method. This is done by gently pouring the water into the pot and letting the excess water fully drain out of the drainage holes.
If you have potted into terracotta pots, these will hold more moisture resulting in more frequent watering than plastic pots, so be mindful when selecting the right pot for your pothos.
What Soil Mixture is Preferred?
As with most pothos varieties, the Baltic Blue prefers a well-draining soil rich in nutrients. Pot your pothos in a balanced soil mixture that includes pearlite, orchid bark or coco coir, peat moss, and potting mix. This mix will retain soil moisture, giving adequate air circulation to the roots and proper drainage.
The ideal pH level for the Baltic blue pothos is 6.1-6.8, which is slightly acidic. You should not adjust the levels if you are using an all-purpose potting mix from your garden store.
You can use pH soil test strips (available from garden stores) to test a sample of your soil; they are easy to use and are definitely worth the investment.
If your blue pothos is showing signs of yellowing leaves, this may indicate that the soil is too alkaline. In this instance, you will need to amend it with lime or potash.
Do I Have to Adjust My Home Temperature?
Luckily typical household temperatures of 60-80F (15C-26C) are suited for the Baltic Blue pothos, so you should keep your living conditions the same for this plant!
During the cooler months, when temperatures drop below 55F (12C), it can cause stunted growth to the Baltic Blue pothos. So be sure to move it into a warmer spot or crank up you’re heating a little bit.
When you think of the regions like northern Australia, where this plant originates, you will notice that the warm temperatures will increase the growth of this already fast-growing plant.
If you are in a location where your climate is warm, like the USDA Hardiness zones ten or higher, you can plant outdoors and watch it turn your garden into a tropical paradise!
Otherwise, there is no harm in keeping your plant indoors in a pot and moving the Baltic Blue pothos outdoors when you have a warm temperature.
Like other indoor plants, try to keep the Baltic Blue pothos away from any areas in your home that are exposed to sudden temperature changes, such as windows or doors open to drafts.
Is 50-60% Humidity Suitable for a Baltic Blue?
The ideal humidity levels for the Baltic Blue pothos to thrive in are between 50 to 60%, similar to the average household. Some people panic when considering humidity for indoor plants and are worried if their home is ideal. You can check the humidity levels with a digital thermometer and adjust if needed.
One way that you can increase humidity is by installing a humidifier. These are inexpensive, and you and your plants will benefit from the added moisture in the air.
Another option to increase humidity to your plants is to use a waterproof tray with pebbles, and half fill with water. Place your Baltic Blue pothos pot on top of this, and you will increase the moisture in the air surrounding it.
If using the tray of pebbles method, make sure you change the water regularly to prevent any infestations from breeding and making their way to your plant.
Is Fertilizing Fussy?
During the peak growing season (spring-fall), feed your Baltic Blue pothos using a diluted all-purpose fertilizer once a month.
As the winter months approach, hold off on fertilizing as the plants’ growth will generally slow down during this time. And it’s best not to confuse it with all the extra food.
Stick with the directions on the fertilizer label to avoid over-fertilizing. This can cause severe issues to the roots of Baltic Blue pothos and it’s challenging to correct later on.
Are Stem Cuttings Advised for Propagating?
To increase your collection of Baltic Blue pothos, you can propagate it by taking stem cuttings. Take a 3-5 inch (7-12cm) cutting from healthy stems with leaf nodes on and discard the bottom leaves. Place the cutting in either water or soil. Within four weeks, your new Baltic Blue pothos baby will produce roots.
Position the root cutting in an area where the mother plant is kept, and the light is bright and indirect.
If you are rooting the stem cutting in water, remember to change the water every few days to stop it from going slimy.
You can speed up the rooting process by dipping the freshly cut stem into rooting hormone before putting it into the potting mix.
Is the Baltic Blue Pothos Toxic?
All parts of the plant are toxic and they should be kept away from children, cats, dogs, and anything or anyone that might find it appetizing.
The Baltic Blue pothos contains calcium oxalate crystals. These are needle-like fibers and cause pain and burning to the mouth when chewed or swallowed. Because of these tiny fibers on the plant, it’s best to use gloves when handling them. Especially if you have sensitive skin or are prone to reactions.
Is Pruning Recommended?
As Baltic Blue is a fast grower, you will need to trim it continuously to keep it under control and increase new growth. The best time to prune the Baltic Blue pothos is during the peak growing season, spring to fall, as the plant will have the most energy to recover during this time.
When pruning the Baltic Blue pothos, make sure you use a clean, sharp pair of scissors or secateurs to eliminate any risk of disease or wounds to the vine. You can trim the Baltic Blue plant to change its shape. If you are trying to free it of a pest or disease, you will need to take more off.
If you are pruning the Baltic Blue pothos to change its form, decide how you want it to look and cut a quarter inch above the leaf or growth node. The growth node is the thicker part of the stem where a new leaf will appear.
If you are pruning to remove disease or damaged vines and need to cut it back considerably, you can cut it back to 2 inches above the soil line. Make sure you are cutting above growth nodes so they can produce the new growth.
When Should I Repot My Baltic Blue?
If you notice that your Baltic Blue pothos has outgrown its pot and the roots are starting to escape through the drainage holes, it is ready to be repotted. The Baltic Blue pothos doesn’t mind being slightly root-bound, but not for long.
Repotting every 2-3 years is ideal for most pothos plants. You should pot them in a pot or hanging basket 2 inches (5cm) larger than the former pot.
Try to avoid repotting your Baltic Blue pothos immediately after bringing it home. I know that can be tempting at first because you want to show it off, but it really needs time to adapt to its new condition.
Problematic Pests and Symptoms
Like the other pothos varieties, the Baltic Blue can experience the same pests and problems from time to time.
Some of the pests and problems to look out for when growing a Baltic blue are:
Yellowing Leaves
This is a common sign of poor drainage or overwatering. Ensure you are letting your blue pothos dry out between watering. For better-draining soil, use a mix of Pearlite, orchid bark or coco coir, peat moss, and potting mix. The roots need oxygen to survive; they can’t breathe and grow if the soil is clogged up.
Root Rot
Before seeing the rotting roots, you will likely recognize root rot if the plant has stunted growth and yellowing leaves.
Take a look at the root ball; some root rot symptoms are foul-smelling soil and reddish-brown roots that are mushy in texture. If the roots appear to be white and firm, they are healthy, and you can repot the plant into well-draining soil and hope it will recover.
Root rot can cause your Blue pothos plant to die. If this happens, try to take some cuttings before it’s too late.
Mealy Bugs
These little critters find a way of making themselves at home on most of our beloved plants. You can see their little white fluffy bodies creeping around your Baltic Blue.
Use one tablespoon of neem oil mixed with one teaspoon of liquid dish soap in a spray bottle to lower their numbers. The oil will block the pores on the mealybugs and suffocate them.
Fungus Gnats
The presence of fungus gnats can be a sign of overwatering, and you will suddenly notice them flying around the room.
They love the warm moist air and lay their larvae in the soil. To control fungus gnats, you can use a spray made with one tablespoon of neem oil, one teaspoon of liquid dish soap, or one part hydrogen peroxide to four parts water.
The hydrogen peroxide kills fungus gnats when they come into contact with it.
Spider Mites
Spider mites tend to leave brown spots on the plant’s leaves, and you may also notice fine webbing across the plant.
They can be a common problem on your pothos and results in stunted growth. The first step to control the infestation is to pressure spray your Baltic Blue outside with water to blast them off and destroy their webs.
If the first attempt doesn’t work, you can apply a neem oil spray, horticultural oil, or insecticidal soap.
Leaves Have No Fenestrations
Although the young Baltic Blue pothos leaves are known to display fenestration sooner than other pothos varieties, you may encounter a time when you are still waiting for the leaves to split.
By giving your Baltic Blue pothos something to climb on and placing it in bright indirect light, you will increase the chance of fenestration.
Leaves Turning Green
Direct sun will cause your Baltic Blue pothos to lose their bluish tint. Try to move your Baltic Blue plants to a position with bright indirect sunlight.
As the Baltic Blue plant matures, the dark green leaves start to turn blue. Your plant may still be too young to show off its blue tint.
About the Baltic Blue Pothos
Although this variety of the Epipremnum pinnatum has been named ‘Baltic Blue,’ it originates from southeast Asia. It has been found in several neighboring countries in the regions of Northern Australia to Malaysia. Southern areas of Japan, China, and Taiwan have also been the home for the Baltic blue pothos. The aerial roots are seen wrapped around the trees of the rainforests.
In the right growing conditions, the Baltic Blue pothos will reach a mature height of 6 Feet (1.8m) long in the space of 3 years. One difference between the Baltic Blue pothos and its closely related Filipino variety, the Cebu Blue pothos, is that the leaves are larger and have a deeper rich blue-green color foliage.
As the Baltic Blue pothos plant matures, the dark green leaves get more significant and contain more fenestrations (split leaves). With that being said, these splits happen earlier than the Cebu Blue pothos.
The trailing habit of the Blue pothos makes it a great plant to grow in a hanging basket or vertically on a moss pole; you can get quite creative when potting up!
FAQ
Is pothos Baltic blue rare?
The pothos Baltic Blue is not considered a rare plant and can be found at any store or plant nursery.
How do you care for the Baltic Blue pothos?
You can care for your Baltic Blue pothos by giving it bright indirect light, temperatures between 65-80 F (15-26C), humidity of 50-60%, keeping the soil moist and fertilizing during the growing period.
What is the rarest type of pothos?
The Harlequin pothos is the rarest type of pothos with its variegated leaves. It looks like a mix between Snow queen pothos and Marble pothos.
Baltic Blue Pothos Is Perfect for Everyone
I am pleased to own a Baltic Blue pothos as it is no trouble to look after. Because of its beautiful cascading vines, I keep mine in a pot on a shelf. The vines can hang down and create a feature in my room.
Baltic Blue pothos care is easy for beginner gardeners. Because of their reasonably low water requirements, they are suitable for people with little time to maintain their plants.
With a bit of trim now and then, you can shape your Baltic pothos to suit the space it is in, and they can even make a great desk plant. You can propagate Baltic Blue pothos easily and use them as gifts for friends or family too.
Have a ball and add one to your home!
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