Complete Care Guide: Cebu Blue Pothos
Complete Care Guide: Cebu Blue Pothos
In this article, you'll find…
Plant Info
Care Guide
Lighting
Watering
Humidity
Soil Needs
Types
Propagating
Common Issues
Frequently Asked Questions
Plant Info
The silvery-blue leaves of the Cebu Blue catch the light in amazing ways. A close relative of the standard pothos varieties, Cebu Blue is a fairly fast-growing vine that looks stunning spilling over the sides of a hanging basket or climbing up a trellis. Like all aroids, it's mildly toxic if ingested.
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Common Name(s) |
Cebu Blue, Cebu Blue Pothos, Blue Dragon Tail |
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Botanical Name |
Epipremnum pinnatum 'Cebu Blue' |
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Botanical Family |
Araceae, the aroid family. |
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Mature Size |
Usually about 8' indoors, up to 40' outdoors |
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Lighting |
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Watering |
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Humidity |
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Soil Mix |
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Flowers |
Insignificant and rare indoors |
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Hardiness |
Not frost-hardy |
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Native Region |
Philippines (Cebu Province) |
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Toxicity |
Mildly Toxic |
Take a look at this care guide as an infographic!
Care Guide
Cebu Blue is native to the tropical rainforests of the Philippines, so for most of us in temperate regions, it needs to be grown as a houseplant. It's not a heavy feeder, but appreciates some extra nutrients now and again. It has a bit of a reputation for being picky about its location and disliking being moved (though I haven't found this, personally), but the glossy, compact leaves are well worth it!
Lighting
Since it's a vine that climbs up trees and hangs from branches in dappled sunlight, Cebu Blue Pothos needs bright, indirect light. In the Northern hemisphere, a few feet from a sunny southern window would be great, or by either an east- or west-facing window; north-facing windows won't give enough light to bring out the stunning coloured foliage it's known for.
Make sure to check out our general article on lighting!
Watering
Like other Epipremnums – including its cousin, the common pothos – Cebu Blue has medium watering needs, needing to have the top ⅓ or so of the substrate dry out between waterings – though I've found that mine prefers a little more water than others from its genus. Remember, as always, to water based on the plant, not the calendar – there are many factors that affect how often a plant needs water!
Make sure to check out our general article on watering!
Humidity
This plant is a tropical rainforest plant in its natural habitat, so average household humidity is a bit low; it will adapt pretty easily, but you may see some minor leaf damage if you don't raise the humidity a bit!
Make sure to check out our general article on humidity – including a couple common myths!
Soil Needs
This is usually an epiphytic plant, which means it grows on other plants. This means its potting media needs to be pretty chunky and airy, with lots for roots to grab on to.
Suggestion: Start with 2 parts peat-based potting mix or coco coir, mix in 1 part perlite, and 1-2 parts orchid bark.
Don't know why you're adding these things? Check out our article on potting mixes!
Types
Cebu Blue Pothos is not actually a variety of the common pothos (Epipremnum aureum), which are easy to tell apart if you compare the shapes of their leaves. It's a close cousin, Epipremnum pinnatum – there are a few other varieties of E. pinnatum found in cultivation, most of them with significantly larger leaves; the most common is 'Albo', with white variegation marbled across the leaves.
There is a variegated form of Cebu Blue Pothos, but it's extremely rare and costly; expect to pay a pretty penny.
Propagating
Want more baby plants? You can easily propagate with stem cuttings, the exact same way as you do with most vining houseplants!
Simply cut off a section of stem with a few leaves, just above a node (where the leaves meet the stem), take off the lowest leaf or two (making sure to leave at least one leaf on it, but ideally a few), and then stick it in water or a moist substrate, making sure that at least one node stays moist. Put it in a bright spot for a few weeks, and you'll see roots forming!
Check out our articles on water propagation, soil propagation, or air layering for more details on common propagation methods!
Common Issues
Cebu Blue Pothos has a bit of a reputation for being a bit finicky, but I've found it an extremely easy-going plant that grows quite quickly in the right conditions. Some people say that once you've found a place for it, not to move it.
All houseplants are susceptible to pests, including mealybugs, spider mites, and more. This plant isn't known to be particularly susceptible to any specific pest!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cebu Blue Pothos rare?
Cebu Blue Pothos used to be a fairly rare houseplant, but has become much more common recently; you can find it at most garden centres, but may still pay a premium.
How quickly does Cebu Blue grow?
Cebu Blue is a fast-growing houseplant, growing a new leaf every week or two if conditions are right.