How to Grow and Care for Cebu Blue Ghost

The Epipremnum pinnatum ‘Cebu Blue Ghost’ is a captivating houseplant and a distinct form of the standard Cebu Blue. This variety showcases patches of a minty, silvery-white coloration across the classic silvery-blue foliage, creating a unique contrast. Its rarity and distinctive appearance have made it a popular possession among plant enthusiasts.

Distinguishing Cebu Blue Ghost

The primary difference between the Cebu Blue Ghost and the standard Cebu Blue lies in the leaf coloration. A standard Cebu Blue Pothos has lance-shaped leaves with a uniform silvery-blue sheen. In contrast, the Cebu Blue Ghost displays a sectoral variegation pattern.

This means its leaves have distinct, irregular patches of a pale, minty-green or silvery-white color against the base blue-silver. This variegation appears in bold sections, making each leaf unique, and its prominence is influenced by growing conditions.

Cebu Blue Ghost Care

Light

This plant thrives in bright, indirect light. An east-facing window that provides gentle morning sun is an ideal location. It should be protected from prolonged exposure to direct afternoon sunlight, which can scorch its leaves, especially the variegated portions. The Cebu Blue Ghost does not tolerate low-light conditions for extended periods, as this can cause it to lose its variegation.

Water

It is best to water thoroughly only after the top one to two inches of the soil have dried out. After watering, ensure all excess water drains from the pot to prevent root rot. During the winter months, when the plant’s growth naturally slows, you should reduce the frequency of watering.

Soil

A well-draining soil mix is important for the Cebu Blue Ghost. An effective mix combines one part potting soil, one part perlite, and one part orchid bark. This blend ensures adequate aeration and drainage, mimicking the conditions of its native tropical environment.

Temperature and Humidity

This plant adapts well to typical indoor household temperatures, preferring a range between 65°F and 85°F (18°C to 29°C). It appreciates higher humidity levels but can tolerate average household humidity. To increase ambient moisture, you can group it with other plants, place it on a pebble tray with water, or use a small humidifier nearby.

Fertilizer

To support its growth during the spring and summer growing season, a balanced liquid fertilizer can be applied. Feeding the plant about once a month provides the necessary nutrients. It is not a heavy feeder, so follow the product’s dilution recommendations to avoid over-fertilizing.

Maintaining Variegation and Preventing Reversion

Reversion is when a variegated plant produces foliage that lacks its characteristic coloration, reverting to its non-variegated parent form. For the Cebu Blue Ghost, this means new leaves emerge as solid silvery-blue. This happens when the plant does not receive enough light to support the energy demands of the variegated sections.

Light is the most influential factor in maintaining the ghost-like variegation. Insufficient light will trigger reversion as the plant tries to maximize chlorophyll production. Finding a location with sustained, bright, indirect light is the best way to encourage the desirable coloration.

If you notice your plant producing solid blue leaves, prune them off promptly. Using clean shears, cut the vine back to the last leaf that shows strong variegation. This encourages the plant to activate dormant buds that are more likely to produce variegated growth.

Propagating Cebu Blue Ghost

Propagating this plant is done using stem cuttings, ideally during the active growing season in spring and summer. When selecting a cutting, choose a healthy section of vine that displays strong, consistent variegation to increase the likelihood that the new plant will inherit the same traits.

To take a cutting, use sharp, clean pruning shears to snip a piece of the vine that includes at least one node and one healthy leaf. A node is the small bump on the stem where leaves and roots emerge. Remove any leaves from the lowest node that might be submerged in water.

You can place the cutting in a jar of water, ensuring the node is underwater. Change the water weekly to keep it fresh. Alternatively, cuttings can be planted directly into a pot with a moist, well-draining soil mix. Dipping the cut end in rooting hormone can stimulate root growth but is not required. Place the pot in a warm spot with bright, indirect light and keep the soil moist until new growth appears.