How to Grow and Care for Epipremnum pinnatum 'Baltic Blue' Indoors
Some links in this post may be affiliate links
Epipremnum pinnatum Baltic Blue Pothos flourishes in medium to bright indirect light, warm and humid conditions and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
Baltic Blue Pothos is among the popular Pothos Plants on account of its elongated, bluish-green, fenestrated leaves. Its leaves fenestrate very early; fenestrations will even be found on the young leaves.
The leaves in Baltic Blue Pothos have a bluish tint which is more prominent during the colder season. They are more smooth, have no silver sheen and curve towards one side unlike the leaves in Cebu Blue Pothos.
Epipremnum Baltic Blue is often mistaken for Rhapidophora tetrasperma due to the leaf fenestrations and pinnations.
The plant can grow as a climber by means of aerial roots or as a creeper along the soil surface. To achieve more fenestrations and larger leaves, the plant should be grown vertically.
Baltic Blue Pothos can be grown in a hanging basket where the stems and leaves can cascade downwards beautifully or it can be provided with a climbing structure like a moss pole or a trellis.
Botanical name: Epipremnum pinnatum 'Baltic Blue'
Family: Araceae
Common names: Baltic Blue Pothos, Epipremnum Baltic Blue, Baltic Blue Epipremnum
Origin
Epipremnum pinnatum 'Baltic Blue' is a clone of Epipremnum pinnatum (Dragon Tail Plant) that was developed by Costa Farms in 2021.
Size
Baltic Blue Pothos is one of the fast-growing plants and will grow to a height of 6 feet in about 3 years when given the right growing conditions.
Is Baltic Blue Pothos toxic?
Yes. Baltic Blue Pothos like other species of the Araceae family is considered toxic to both humans and pet. Wikipedia indicates that the plants contain crystals of Calcium oxalate. If ingested these crystals can cause burning and swelling in the mouth and throat, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pains. Keep Baltic Blue Pothos away from the reach of children, cats, dogs and other pets.
Where to Buy
Epipremnum Baltic Blue is an elegant plant for your collection. You may get these plants online from Etsy (Link to Etsy or from (Link to Amazon).
How to Care for Baltic Blue Pothos Indoors
To care for Baltic Blue Pothos indoors, give it medium to bright indirect light, warmth of 18-290C, humidity of 60-70% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in spring and summer.
Epipremnum pinnatum 'Baltic Blue' needs repotting only when pot-bound. Regular pruning is necessary to keep the plant neat as well as rejuvenate growth. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Light Requirements
How much light does Baltic Blue Pothos need?
Baltic Blue Pothos needs medium to bright indirect light. Keep it away from direct sunlight as it can dull the leaf color and scorch the leaves.
Epipremnum Baltic Blue can tolerate lower light but the growth will be much slower than in brighter conditions. Too little light will result in yellowish leaves and lack of fenestrations. Therefore, where natural light is not sufficient, you may use full spectrum grow lights to augment it.
Regularly rotate the pot to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for uniform growth and to prevent leggy growth.
Watering
How often should I water Baltic Blue Pothos?
Water your Baltic Blue Pothos liberally in spring and summer until water comes out through the drainage holes while allowing the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Maintain the soil moderately moist and avoid overwatering to prevent rotting, yellowing and leaf fall.
Cut down on watering in fall and winter to keep the soil slightly moist as growth is minimal at this time. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely to avoid wilting, yellowing and leaf drop.
Use chlorine-free water like rainwater to prevent browning of leaf tips and edges. Only use room temperature to avoid cold shock which can cause stunted growth, yellowing and leaf loss.
Ensure that the soil is free-draining and the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can result in root-rot and eventual death of the plant.
Temperature & Humidity
Baltic Blue Pothos thrives in a warmth of 18-290C; a room temperature that is comfortable for you is ideal for this plant. Keep it away from sources of drafts like AC units, drafty windows and doors, heat sources and others to prevent reduced growth and leaf drop.
Baltic Blue Pothos prospers in a humidity of 60-70%. Too low humidity will result in brown, shrivelled leaf tips and edges. To raise humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray, group the plants together or use a cool mist humidifier. Ensure good air circulation to minimize fungal diseases.
Fertilizer
Feed Baltic Blue Pothos with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4 weeks in spring and summer to promote a lush growth. Do not feed in fall and winter as growth is minimal at this time and feeding at this time can result to fertilizer burn.
Occasionally leach out accumulated salts by running a stream of water through the soil until it drains through the drainage hole. Allow the water to run for 5-10 minutes to clear most of the salts.
Potting Mix
The best potting mix for Baltic Blue Pothos should be rich in organic matter and well-drained to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. Most Aroids soils and potting mixes designed for Pothos are great for this plant.
Repotting
Repot your Baltic Blue Pothos in the growing season (spring to early summer), only when pot-bound. Use a rich, free-draining soil and a pot one size larger than the current one.
Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot and death of the plant. Take a look at these pots with drainage holes on Amazon.
Pruning & Grooming
Pruning Baltic Blue Pothos involves frequent removal of any dead foliage to keep the plant tidy and also minimize pest and disease infestations.
Cutback the stems at the beginning of the growing season when they become straggly to rejuvenate growth and also keep the plant compact. You may use the foliage emanating from the pruning to propagate new plants which you can share with friends and family.
Regularly clean the leaves with a damp soft cloth to get rid of dust and also discourage pest and disease infestations.
Baltic Blue Pothos Propagation
Epipremnum pinnatum Baltic Blue Pothos is propagated from stem cuttings which can be rooted either in soil or in water. However, those rooted in water take longer to root. Propagate at the beginning of the growing season (spring to early summer) for faster establishment.
1. How to root Baltic Blue Pothos stem cuttings in soil
Baltic Blue Pothos propagation in soil:
- Take a 4-6 inches stem cutting from a healthy plant. Ensure the cutting has at least 4-6 leaves and some aerial roots.
- Strip off the lower leaves and insert the cutting in moist, rooting soil and ensure at least one leaf node together with the aerial roots are covered under soil.
- To hasten rooting, cover the set up with clear plastic to create a greenhouse effect that is warm and humid conditions.
- Place the set up in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight to prevent rotting.
- Maintain the soil moist through out until the roots develop; new growth indicates rooting has taken place.
- The cuttings should root in about 2-3 weeks and the new plant will be ready to be transplanted into individual pots in about 2-3 months.
- When ready to transplant, fill 6-8 inches pots halfway with free-draining soil and lightly moisten the soil.
- Water the new plant deeply, carefully lift the plant with a ball of soil around the roots and place in the center of the pots.
- Fill the pot while lightly firming the soil around the plant roots.
- Wet the soil thoroughly until water comes out through the drainage hole.
- Place the pots in a bright indirect light and begin routine care.
2. How to root Baltic Blue Pothos stem cuttings in water
Baltic Blue Pothos propagation in water:
- Take a 4-6 inches stem cutting from a healthy plant. Ensure the cutting has at least 4-6 leaves and some aerial roots.
- Strip off the lower leaf and place the cutting in a jar of plain water, ensure at least one leaf node is covered in water as well as the aerial roots.
- Place the set up in a warm, well-lit spot and change the water every 5-7 days.
- The stem cutting should root in about 3-4 weeks. When the roots are about 2 inches long, start acclimating them to grow in soil by adding a little soil daily into the rooting jar until when there is more soil than water in the rooting jar.
- The new plant is ready for transplanting when the roots have grown to about 4 inches long.
- When the plants are ready to be transplanted, fill 6-8 inches pots halfway with free-draining soil and lightly moisten the soil.
- Carefully lift the new plant with a ball of soil around the roots and place in the center of the pots.
- Lightly firm the soil around the plant roots as you fill the pot. Water thoroughly until water comes out through the drainage holes.
- Place the pots in a spot with bright indirect light and begin regular routine care.
Baltic Blue Pothos Problems & Remedies
Baltic Blue Pothos problems are yellow leaves, leaf drop, brown tips & edges, leggy growth, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more details on these problems and their solutions.
Yellow leaves
Why are the leaves on my Baltic Blue Pothos turning yellow?
The main causes of yellow leaves on your Baltic Blue Pothos are insufficient light, soggy soil, inconsistent watering, drafts, nutrients deficiency or aging.
How to fix it
Insufficient light: Position the plant in medium to bright indirect light or use a grow light if you do not have adequate light in your home.
Soggy soil: Use a free-draining soil and a pot with a drainage hole.
Inconsistent watering: Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry but do not allow the soil to dry out completely. Do not water on schedule.
Drafts: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like hot air vents, AC units, hot surfaces, windy doors among others.
Nutrients deficiency: Feed the plant with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4 weeks in spring and summer.
Aging: This is a natural process. As the plant matures the older leaves turn yellow and drop off.
Leaf drop
Leaf drop on Baltic Blue Pothos is caused by inconsistent watering, soggy soil, too little light, drafts or use of cold water.
How to fix it
Inconsistent watering: Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil dry out but never allow the soil ball to dry out completely.
Soggy soil: Use a pot with a drainage hole and well-draining soil.
Too little light: Position the plant in medium to bright indirect light or use a grow light if you do not have enough light in your home.
Drafts: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like windy doors, drafty windows, AC units, heat sources, hot air vents among others.
Use of cold water: Use water that is at room temperature to prevent cold shock.
Brown leaf tips & edges
Brown leaf tips and edges on Baltic Blue Pothos are due to underwatering, soggy soil, dry air, or salts buildup.
How to fix it
Underwatering: Water the plant when the top 1-2 inches of soil dry out and never allow the soil to dry out completely for a prolonged period.
Soggy soil: Use well-draining soil and a pot with a drainage hole.
Dry air: To increase humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier or group the plants together.
Salts buildup: Regularly get rid of accumulated salts by running a stream of water through the soil until it comes out through the drainage hole. Let it run for 5-10 minutes to remove most of the salts.
Leggy growth
Leggy growth accompanied by small pale leaves on Baltic Blue Pothos are caused by too little light and overwatering.
How to fix it
Too little light: Position the plant in a more brighter spot where it will receive medium to bright indirect light or instal grow lights if the natural light is inadequate.
Overwatering: Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil dry out. Reduce watering to keep the soil slightly moist in fall and winter.
Pests
Common pests on Baltic Blue Pothos are spider mites, scale insects and mealybugs which are prevalent in dry air conditions.
How to fix it
- Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants.
- Treat the infested plant with neem oil or insecticidal soap. Ensure to follow the manufacturers' recommendations.
- Regularly check underneath and between the leaves for these pests and carry out timely control measures.
- To depress the pests infestations, group the plants together or set the pot on a wet pebble tray to raise humidity.
- Maintain good air flow to discourage the pests infestations.
Diseases
Baltic Blue Pothos is prone to leaf spot disease and root-rot disease:
1. Leaf spot disease which is enhanced by overwet conditions coupled with poor air circulation. It is characterized by brown, soft leaf spots.
How to fix it
- Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants.
- Spray the affected plant with a systemic fungicide and ensure to follow the manufacturer's instructions.
- Avoid wetting the center of the rosette during watering; you may water from the bottom.
- Improve ventilation to ensure good air circulation for the plant.
2. Root-rot disease which is promoted by soggy soil. It is characterized by wlting, yellowing and browning of the leaves which is rapidly followed by plant collapse.
How to fix it
- Carefully, slip the plant out of its pot and inspect the roots. Brown mushy roots indicate root-rot.
- Cut the brown-black roots and treat the healthy roots with a copper-based fungicidal solution as recommended by the manufacturer.
- Repot the plant in fresh, well-draining soil and keep it dry for some time before resuming watering.
- Use a pot with a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy.
- Reduce watering in fall and winter as growth is minimal at this time, therefore, the plant does not need much water.
You liked it? Share on social media.
Related Content
Amazon Associates Disclosure
Homeplantsguide.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.