Epipremnum pinnatum 'Cebu Blue' Indoor Care, Propagation and Problems

Some links in this post may be affiliate links

Cebu Blue Pothos, Epipremnum pinnatum 'Cebu Blue'

Botanical name: Epipremnum pinnatum 'Cebu Blue'
Family: Araceae
Common names: Cebu Blue Pothos

Description

Cebu Blue Pothos (Epipremnum pinnatum 'Cebu Blue') is a low maintenance vine which is popular for its spectacular lance shaped leaves and climbing and trailing growth habit.

The young leaves in Cebu Blue Pothos have an elongated shape with a pointed end and a smooth margin. As they mature, they grow larger, become fenestrated (have holes along the mid-rib) and lobed (have slits along the edges).

Cebu Blue Pothos leaves have a silvery-blue-green, glaucous and textured appearance and can grow to about 6 in. long.

The plant has two growth habits. It can grow as a climber by means of aerial roots or as a creeper along the soil surface. To achieve fenestrations and the beautiful lobes, the plant should be grown vertically.

Cebu Blue 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.

Cebu Blue Pothos is often mistaken for Monstera siltepecana. The main difference is in their leaves. Those of Monstera siltepecana are larger, variegated with distinct dark-green veins while those of Cebu Blue are smaller and have a glaucous and textured appearance.

Origin

Cebu Blue Pothos (Epipremnum pinnatum 'Cebu Blue') is native to Cebu Island in Philippines where it grows as an epiphyte on trees.

Size

Cebu Blue Pothos can grow to a height of 30 ft in its natural habitat but indoors it will only grow to about 5-10 ft.

Toxicity

Cebu Blue Pothos (Epipremnum pinnatum 'Cebu Blue') like other species of the Araceae family is toxic to both humans and pets. Wikipedia indicates that the plants contain Calcium oxalate.

If ingested it can cause burning and swelling in the mouth and throat, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pains. Keep Cebu Blue Pothos away from the reach of children and pets.

Where to Buy

Cebu Blue Pothos is a charming plant to add to your collection. Buy Cebu Blue Pothos (Epipremnum pinnatum 'Cebu Blue') online from Etsy.

Epipremnum pinnatum 'Cebu Blue' Care Indoors

Cebu Blue Pothos (Epipremnum pinnatum 'Cebu Blue') requires medium to bright, indirect light, warm and humid conditions and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season. Continue reading for a detailed account on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.

Watering

Water Cebu Blue Pothos liberally until water comes out through the drainage holes during the growing season while allowing the top 2-3 in. of soil to dry out between waterings to keep the soil moderately moist.

Decrease watering during the cold season to keep the soil slightly moist as growth is minimal at this time but do not let the soil dry out completely.

Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy soil as it can lead to root-rot disease and eventual death of the plant.

Light Requirements

Cebu Blue Pothos grows best in medium to bright indirect light away from direct sunlight as direct sunlight can scorch the leaves.

It can tolerate lower light but the growth will be much slower than in brighter conditions. Too little light will result in dull leaves and lack of fenestrations.

Epipremnum pinnatum 'Cebu Blue' can also grow under a grow light where the natural light is not adequate.

Temperature and Humidity

Cebu Blue Pothos thrives in an average warmth within the range of 15-28⁰C. A room temperature that is comfortable for you is ideal for the plant.

Keep it away from cold draughts like air conditioners, drafty windows and doors, as too cold temperatures can cause leaf drop.

Cebu Blue Pothos can grow in average room humidity but it thrives in humid conditions. If the air is too dry the plant will develop brown and shrivelled leaf tips and edges.

To increase humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray. Check out these techniques on how to raise humidity for houseplants.

damp-wipe the leaves regularly with a soft cloth to get rid of dust and also discourage pest and disease infestations.

Fertilizer

Feed Cebu Blue Pothos monthly during the growing period with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer for a lush growth.

Do not feed the plant during the cold season as growth is reduced at this time and feeding at this time can result to fertilizer burn.

Potting Medium

The best potting soil for Cebu Blue Pothos should be rich in organic matter and well-drained to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients like these Aroids potting mix available online at Etsy.

Repotting

Repot Cebu Blue Pothos during the growing season only when the plant has become pot-bound. Use a rich, free-draining soil and a pot one size larger than the current one.

Ascertain that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot disease.

Pruning

Pruning Cebu Blue Pothos involves frequent removal of any dead foliage to keep the plant neat and tidy and also minimize pest and disease infestations.

Cut back the stems at the beginning of the growing season when they become straggly to rejuvenate growth and also keep the plant compact.

The foliage emanating from the pruning can be used to propagate new plants which you can share with friends and family.

Propagation

Cebu Blue Pothos (Epipremnum pinnatum 'Cebu Blue') can be propagated at the beginning of the growing season from stem cuttings. The cuttings can be rooted in soil or in water but those rooted in water take longer to root.

How to root Cebu Blue Pothos stem cuttings in soil

Take a 4-6 in. stem cutting from a healthy Cebu Blue Pothos. 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, ensure at least one leaf node together with the aerial roots are covered under soil.

To hasten rooting, cover the set up with clear polythene to create a greenhouse effect that is warm and humid conditions.

Place the set up in a warm, well-lit place and maintain the soil moist through out until the roots develop which is indicated by new growth.

The cuttings should root in about 2-3 weeks and the new Cebu Blue Pothos will be ready to be transplanted into individual pots in about 2-3 months.

When ready to transplant, fill 6-8 in. pots halfway with free-draining soil and lightly moisten the soil.

Water the new plants deeply, carefully lift the new plants 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. Water the soil thoroughly until water comes out through the drainage hole.

Place the pots under bright indirect light and begin normal routine care.

How to root Cebu Blue Pothos stem cuttings in water

Take a 4-6 in. stem cutting from a healthy Cebu Blue Pothos. 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 Cebu Blue Pothos cutting should root in about 3-4 weeks. When the roots are about 2 in. long, start acclimating them to grow in soil.

Acclimating the roots to grow in soil entails adding a little soil daily into the rooting jar over a period of time until when there is more soil than water in the rooting jar.

The new Cebu Blue Pothos is ready for transplanting when the roots have grown to about 4 in. long.

When the plants are ready to be transplanted, fill 6-8 in. pots halfway with free-draining soil and lightly moisten the soil.

Carefully lift the new plants 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 where they can receive bright indirect light and begin normal routine care.

Epipremnum pinnatum 'Cebu Blue' Problems

Cebu Blue Pothos (Epipremnum pinnatum 'Cebu Blue') problems include yellow leaves, drooping leaves, brown tips and edges, dull leaves, pests and diseases among others. Read on for more details on these problems and their remedies.

Yellow leaves, leaf drop, rotting stems

Yellow leaves, leaf drop and rotting stems in Cebu Blue Pothos is an indication of root-rot disease which is promoted by soggy soil.

Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the other houseplants and treat it for root-rot disease.

Cebu Blue Pothos cannot tolerate soggy soil. Always, ensure that the soil is free-draining and that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy.

Drooping leaves

Drooping leaves in Cebu Blue Pothos may be due to improper watering; either underwatering or overwatering.

Overwatering will result in soggy soil which will cause the roots to die due to lack of oxygen in the soil. As such, the plant cannot take up water to the leaves and therefore they droop.

Underwatering means there is not adequate water in the soil for the plant to take up, therefore the leaves lose their stiffness and begin to droop.

Inspect the state of the soil by feeling the soil between your fingers. If the soil is dry, water the plant immediately and it should recover.

If the soil feels wet, slide the plant out of the pot and inspect the roots. Brown or black roots indicate rotting.

Trim them off and treat the healthy roots with a fungicidal solution. Repot the plant in fresh soil and keep it dry for about 3 days to allow it time to recover.

Thereafter, water the Cebu Blue Pothos liberally during the growing season while allowing the top 2-3 in. of soil to dry out between waterings to maintain the soil moderately moist.

Cut down on watering during the cold season to keep the soil slightly moist and do not allow the root ball to dry out completely.

Curled, limp leaves and rotting stems

Curled, limp leaves and rotting stems in Cebu Blue Pothos are caused by sudden changes in the air temperature due to drafts.

Cebu Blue Pothos is sensitive to sudden drops in temperature. Keep the plant away from cold drafts emanating from air conditioners, drafty windows and doors to maintain an average room warmth within the range of 15-28⁰C.

Leggy growth and small pale leaves

Too little light is the cause of leggy growth and small pale leaves as Cebu Blue Pothos will not thrive in shade.

Place the Cebu Blue Pothos in a more brighter spot where it will receive medium to bright indirect light or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is inadequate.

Brown-black, shrivelled leaf tips

Brown-black, shrivelled leaf tips in Cebu Blue Pothos are due to four possible reasons. One possible reason is too dry air (low air humidity) or too little moisture in the air.

To elevate humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier.

The second possible reason for brown-black, shrivelled leaf tips in Cebu Blue Pothos is soggy soil as it does not like to sit in soggy soil and it will respond with brown-black leaf tips.

Repot the Cebu Blue Pothos in fresh soil. Ensure the soil is draining properly and the pot has a drainage hole.

Also, do not leave water standing in the saucer after watering; discard any water that remains on the saucer after watering.

The third possible reason for brown-black, shrivelled leaf tips in Cebu Blue Pothos is underwatering.

If there isn't enough moisture in the soil for the plant to take up, the leaf tips are the first to suffer. They begin to dry up, turning brown and later black.

Water the plant thoroughly during the growing season when the top 2-3 in. of soil dry out to keep the soil moderately moist; avoid delayed watering.

Reduce watering in the cold season to keep the soil slightly moist as growth is minimal at this time.

The fourth possible reason for brown-black, shrivelled leaf tips in Cebu Blue Pothos is overfeeding or accumulation of chemicals in the soil.

Too much fertilizer in the soil will cause damage to the roots which means that the plant cannot take up adequate water and nutrients from the soil.

Brown tips is the first sign that the roots of the plant are in distress. Regularly flush (leach) out any excess chemicals from the soil by running a steady stream of water through the soil until it comes out through the drainage holes.

Allow the water to run for about 5 minutes and let the excess water drain out before replacing the plant to its position.

Pests

The common pests in Cebu Blue Pothos are spider mites, scale insects and mealy bugs. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other houseplants. Read on how to identify and get rid of pests in houseplants.