The Baltic Blue Pothos is the current superstar of the indoor gardening world. With its stunning leaves and easy care requirements, it’s no surprise that this plant has gained a massive following. Let’s explore what makes the Baltic Blue Pothos so irresistible.
What differentiates this type of pothos is its big dark green leaves that fenestrate as soon as the plant is well established. These baltic blue pothos plants are closely related to the Cebu Blue Pothos – both varieties of Epipremnum Pinnatum. These pothos plants have similarly shaped leaves; although the Baltic Blue is much bigger than the Cebu Blue, it has darker leaves and develops fenestrations earlier.
Pothos plants are easy-going and beginner-friendly; they grow quickly and propagate easily, making them a unique addition to any room. Do you want to add beautiful Baltic Blue Pothos to your collection? Here’s a complete Baltic Blue Pothos care guide.
Adding a Baltic blue plant to your landscape can elevate its beauty and give your outdoor space a unique, eye-catching look. With their distinctive blue-gray foliage, these attractive shrubs make a statement in any garden. However, with so many varieties to choose from, it can be tricky to select the right Baltic blue plant for your specific needs. In this article, we’ll walk through the key factors to consider so you can find the perfect fit.
Baltic blue refers to a few different varieties of evergreen shrubs in the juniper family. They are native to various parts of Europe and Asia. The signature feature of these plants is their blue-tinged needles or scale-like leaves which can range in color from silvery-blue to deep blue-gray.
While called “blue,” the foliage of these shrubs is not actually blue. The blue-gray color comes from a waxy bloom coating the leaves. This bloom evolved to help the plants survive cold, harsh winters in their native climates.
In addition to their stunning foliage, many Baltic blue plants also produce attractive blue berries Their shapes vary too – from low, spreading groundcovers to narrow, columnar forms that make a dramatic vertical statement With proper care, Baltic blue plants can thrive for years, adding four-season interest.
Choosing the Right Size Baltic Blue Plant
One of the most important factors when selecting a Baltic blue plant is its expected mature size These shrubs come in a wide range of dimensions – from dwarf varieties under 1 foot tall to large types reaching 10-15 feet in height,
Take into account how much space you have to work with. Smaller yards or gardens will do best with a compact Baltic blue plant under 3 feet tall at maturity. Some good petite options include:
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Juniperus squamata ‘Blue Star’ – Grows to around 3 feet tall and wide.
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Juniperus horizontalis ‘Wiltonii’ – Max height of 1 foot with a spread to 4 feet wide.
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Juniperus communis ‘Compressa’ – Columnar in form, reaching 5 feet tall by just 1-2 feet wide.
For medium to large landscapes, consider a larger Baltic blue plant. Tall, slim choices like ‘Blue Arrow’ work well as an upright focal point. Wide-spreading types like ‘Blue Pacific’ can provide sweeping groundcover. Some stellar big Baltic blue plant picks include:
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Juniperus chinensis ‘Blue Alps’ – Grows up to 6 feet tall and 8 feet wide.
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Juniperus scopulorum ‘Blue Arrow’ – Narrowly columnar, up to 15 feet tall by 2 feet wide.
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Juniperus conferta ‘Blue Pacific’ – Reaches 1 foot tall but spreads to 6 feet wide.
Matching Purpose with Baltic Blue Variety
In addition to size, think about what role you want your Baltic blue plant to play in your landscape. This will further help narrow down the right variety.
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Focal points: Tall, columnar varieties grab attention, especially when planted in groupings. ‘Blue Arrow’ is a great vertical accent.
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Foundation planting: The dwarf ‘Blue Star’ works well planted along foundations and walkways.
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Groundcover: Low, spreading types like ‘Blue Pacific’ provide dense groundcover on slopes or open areas.
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Borders and edging: Compact Baltic blue plants neatly edge garden beds and borders. Try ‘Wiltonii’.
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Pots and containers: Small Baltic blue shrubs bring great texture and interest to pots. ‘Blue Star’ is a superb container choice.
Factor in Your Climate and Growing Conditions
While adaptable to many climates, some Baltic blue plants fare better in certain growing zones and conditions. Talk to local landscape nurseries to learn which varieties grow best in your area.
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Sun exposure: Most prefer full sun but tolerate some shade, especially in hot climates.
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Soil: Well-drained soil is ideal. Some tolerate clay while others need sandier soils.
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Drought tolerance: Once established, many are quite drought resistant including ‘Blue Star’ and ‘Blue Arrow’.
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Hardiness: Often hardy from zones 4-9, but confirm recommended zones for your chosen variety.
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Salt tolerance: Coastal gardens benefit from salt-tolerant choices like ‘Blue Pacific’.
Baltic Blue Plant Care Tips
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Planting: Give new plants ample space for growth. Amend soil with compost to improve drainage.
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Watering: Water thoroughly after planting then only as needed. Most are drought-tolerant once established.
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Pruning: Prune to shape and remove dead branches. Shearing is not needed or recommended.
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Fertilizing: Only apply fertilizer if signs of deficiency appear. Use a balanced, slow-release formula.
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Pests: Watch for bagworms, spider mites, scale, and juniper midges. Maintain overall plant health to prevent infestations.
With stunning blue foliage and versatile forms, Baltic blue plants are a gorgeous addition to any landscape. Pay close attention to mature size, intended purpose, and growing conditions to select the right variety for your needs. Proper planting and care will keep your Baltic blue plant thriving for years of beauty. The gorgeous color and texture is well worth the extra effort to find just the perfect fit.
Baltic Blue Pothos Common Problems
As stated before, this type of Pothos is generally low maintenance and is not known for being prone to particular issues. Still, as with any other plant, you should always watch for pests such as mealybugs, scale, spider mites, or thrips. Baltic Blue Pothos are not prone to any of these pets, but it doesn’t mean that it is immune. Also, watch out for any signs of root rot, change in coloration, or any abnormalities. Keep an eye out for the following.
The most common reason this plant’s leaves aren’t fenestrating is that it’s not receiving enough light.
Baltic Blue Pothos will keep its leaves small in low conditions to conserve energy.
Try moving your plant to a brighter place and wait a couple of weeks and see if the plant’s growth has changed.
Alternatively, this issue can indicate that your plant is not mature enough to grow fenestrated leaves yet, so you’ll have to wait until your Baltic Blue Pothos is mature enough to do so.
Yellow leaves are usually not a cause for concern, but they can be an indication that something’s off in the plant’s growing environment and conditions.
If you notice your Baltic Blue Pothos’ leaves persistently turning yellow, and it’s not limited to old leaves (new growth is also affected), then it’s time to investigate.
Plant leaves usually turn yellow as a result of not enough light or water, but it can also be a sign of the contrary (too much light or overwatering).
Pests such as spider mites and thrips can also cause this. The only way to discover what’s causing this problem is to closely examine your plant’s growing conditions.
Baltic Blue Pothos Care
Caring for this type of pothos plant is not rocket science. This indoor tropical plant enjoys regular watering, plenty of light, and light fertilization during summer and spring. This being said, this plant is also adaptable and can withstand missing the occasional fertilization or watering if needed.
Like many other pothos varieties, the Baltic Blue benefits from being staked up a trellis or a moss pole, where its leaves have room to get much larger and fenestrated. However, if you prefer to leave the plant’s long stems hanging, the Balic Blue will do just fine without support. Continue reading if you want to get more specific details on this plant.
Luckily enough, Baltic Blue Pothos can thrive under different light conditions. It ideally does best in medium and high light areas (this type of light crates a medium-strong shadow throughout much of the day). Very light bright can turn the plant’s leaves more green than blue.
Baltic Blue Pothos grow best with medium to bright indirect light, and it can also withstand low light if needed, although if the plant is set in low light conditions, its leaves won’t grow, and it may not develop fenestrations; it may also make your Baltic Blue Pothos plant prone to legginess.
Although this pothos plant is not a fan of low light conditions, it shouldn’t be exposed to harsh direct light as it can get leaf burn. North or East facing windows are the best spots for this plant, but you can also set it back slightly from a south or west window, so it does not get hit directly with sunlight.
Like other pothos plants, Baltic Blue Pothos prefer to dry out a bit between watering – not completely, though. Never leave the potting mix wet or saturated for extended periods, as overwatering can stress this plant and may result in the plant’s foliage to turn yellow prematurely.
So, make sure you do a soil check in between waterings. Allow the plant’s soil to dry out almost completely before watering well and thoroughly.
It shouldn’t be a big deal if you miss a watering and the plant’s soil dries out completely. You may notice the plant’s leaves droop slightly when it’s not getting enough water, but as long as you quickly catch it and water well, your Baltic Blue Pothos should bounce right back.
When in doubt, it’s always better to underwater your pothos plant than to overwater it. Like many different tropical plants, the Baltic Blue Pothos can develop root rot if left in soggy soil conditions or chronically overwatered. You can also use a moisture meter to determine where your plant’s soil moisture is and when it’s time to water.
This tropical plant thrives in warm temperatures, which makes it an ideal houseplant. Baltic Blue Pothos are not cold/frost tolerant and should not be kept under 55 degrees Fahrenheit for any extended period of time.
Now for humidity, Baltic Blue Pothos prefer slightly humid conditions (60% is perfect) but also do well under standard household humidity, which tends to be drier. This being said, this tropical plant will thrive in a more humid area or near a small humidifier.
This pothos plant tolerates average home humidity levels. But, for optimal performance and growth, you can boost the air’s moisture in particularly arid conditions with a small humidifier.
Baltic Blue Pothos plants need well-draining soil; a regular potting mix should be fine.
But, if you feel like pampering your tropical plant, try finding a soil mixture that retains some moisture but also has well drainage. A mix of equal parts of perlite and indoor potting soil is a great choice, and you can also add orchid bark mix to make it extra airy and chunky.
Like other indoor houseplants, Baltic Blues benefit from twice-yearly feedings every 4-6 months. But, you can fertilize your plant once a month during the active growing season during spring and summer to encourage healthy and robust growth.
You can also use a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength or a formulated houseplant fertilizer for better results. Always follow the package’s instructions for better results.
Do NOT fertilize your Baltic Blue Pothos during the fall and winter, as it’s the plant’s dormancy season.
Why are some plants called blue? | Baltic Blue vs Cebu Blue Pothos comparison and where to find them
FAQ
Why is my baltic blue not fenestrating?
How much light does Baltic Blue pothos need?
What kind of soil does a Baltic Blue plant need?
Like other Pothos plants, the Baltic Blue needs a well-draining soil. A standard houseplant potting mix with additional perlite added to it will work well for these plants. If the soil is too dense it will not allow the water to drain well and the roots will become waterlogged and start to get root rot.
Can Baltic Blue Pothos grow outside?
Baltic Blue Pothos, like other Pothos plants, do well inside with house temperatures between 60°F and 85°F. If you live in a mild climate and put your Pothos outside, don’t leave it outside if the temperatures go below 55°F. Pothos are a tropical plant and don’t tolerate cool temperatures well.
What is Baltic Blue Growth?
Baltic Blue Growth aims to find solutions to the challenges that come with submerged farms such as setting drill-anchors, calculating the necessary farm specifications and the general lack of experience with the novel techniques. Another problem of mussel farming in some parts of the Baltic Sea is the periodic predation from eider ducks.
Do Baltic Blue Pothos get fenestrations?
Baltic Blue Pothos are known for their fenestrations in their leaves. Along with the beautiful blue hues, the fenestrations are what makes them so striking. The leaves get fenestrations once they have matured. Providing bright indirect light helps the plant get more fenestrations.