Cebu Blue Pothos (Epipremnum pinnatum ‘Cebu Blue’) is a popular cultivar of the Pothos plant known for its striking blue-green leaves.
OverWatering, Excess Heat, Stressful Environment, Lack of Humidity, Pests, and Physical Damage are the most common reasons for Cebu blue pothos split leaves.
But there is no reason to despair. These problems can be fixed quickly if proper steps are taken in time. But in order to know the right action, it is necessary to know the reasons in detail.
In this article, I will tell you about the problem of split leaves of blue pothos and all the possible solutions. So why the delay?
Quick Care Guide
| Problem | Solution |
| Over Watering | Apply the Soak and dry method for frequent watering. |
| Excess heat | 3-4 hours of direct sunlight a day is enough. |
| Stressful Environment | 65-80°F temperature, soil pH 6.5-7 is recommended. |
| Lack of Humidity | 50-65% humidity level is best. |
| Pests | Use good quality insecticides. |
How to Fix Split Leaves on a Cebu Blue Pothos
1. Over Watering
Because Cebu blue pothos is quite hardy, many gardeners think it may need too much water. That is a huge misconception. If excess water is applied, the roots of blue pothos cannot absorb oxygen properly.
As a result, their normal growth is disrupted. Now you may be wondering what are the signs that a plant is being overwatered!
Your tree will droop, the leaves will split, and the leaves will change colour. So if you see such symptoms, you have to take action quickly.
Fixing Guide
Frequent watering is ideal for Cebu blue pothos. But the amount of water will depend on the weather. Of course, plants need as much water in summer as in winter.
The method I follow for watering is to first apply one to two inches of deep water. Then take time till it dries. You can use a stick or even a moisture metre to make sure the soil is dry. If it dries up, water should be applied again.
You can use pebbles on the tree trunks to retain water in the winter. There must be three to four holes in the trunk of the plant to drain excess water. If it is difficult to apply water then you can also use a self-watering machine.
2. Excess Heat
Do you know how dangerous excess heat can be to your Cebu blue pothos plant? If your plant is constantly exposed to sunlight, its natural biological processes are disrupted.
Excess sunlight inhibits the plant’s photosynthesis process. As a result, the plant’s leaves stop producing enough nutrients. If this condition continues for a long time, the leaves of the tree become split. The leaves turn grey, sunburn and eventually the plant dies.
Fixing Guide
Cebu Blue pothos need bright indirect sunlight for normal growth. Three to four hours of direct sunlight a day is enough. The rest of the time you need to protect your plant from direct sunlight.
If your plant is indoors then you can place it in a north-facing window of your room. But If it is not possible then you can keep it in the east corner at the beginning of the day and spend the rest of the time somewhere else.
If your plant is outdoors you must use a shade cloth. Shade cloth should be of a colour that minimises heat absorption. I would suggest you use light green shade cloth.
3. Stressful Environment
A suitable environment is very important for any plant to grow normally. If your plant doesn’t get the right environment, it’s normal for its leaves to split.
If the temperature is too high, the leaves may split due to heat stress. Again, if the plant is kept at a low temperature, the plant will be dehydrated, and the leaves will split due to lack of moisture.
If your plant’s soil does not have the nutrients it needs and if the soil does not circulate oxygen, your plant will not be able to function normally. As a result, the leaves of the tree will split.
Fixing Guide
65-80°F temperature is ideal for Cebu blue pothos. You have to maintain the optimum temperature. If your area is cold, use a temperature-controlling machine. Keep the plant in more sunlight than usual and test the soil thoroughly before watering.
During periods of excessive heat waves, more water should be applied to the plant. Good quality soil should be used as potting soil. A slightly moist and well-draining soil is best. The pH of the soil should be 6.5-7.
I would suggest you use organic compost, bark, and perlite to make the soil. This will speed up the growth of your plants. You can also use some earthworms to improve the quality of your soil.
4. Lack of Humidity
Your Cebu blue pothos plant may survive in a low-humidity environment, but it will experience a variety of problems.
If you keep your plant in an environment where the humidity is too low, your plant will easily become dehydrated. The leaves will become dry. Dry leaves split at the slightest blow.
However, if the humidity does not change, the leaf margins will gradually turn brown and the leaves will curl.
Fixing Guide
First, you need to be sure that the problem with your pothos plant’s leaves is caused by moisture. When you are absolutely sure then move your plant to a high-humidity area. It can be your bathroom or kitchen. Cebu blue pothos generally prefers a 50-65% humidity level.
Spray the plant with fresh water regularly. It is best to use a humidifier. This will maintain optimum humidity for your plants.
Also, want to know how to increase the humidity level of your house through some very simple actions? Then Put your clothes on a drying rack indoors to air dry. Include indoor plants in your space.
Consider using a strong essential oil diffuser. When taking a shower, leave the bathroom door open. Bathtub water should be left in there to cool. Put water dishes close to heat sources. Place water-filled vases on sunny windowsills.
5. Pests
Pests commonly responsible for splitting leaves of blue pothos include spider mites and mealybugs. They are both sap-sucking insects. They fully dry the plant by emptying the sap from the cells and keep doing this.
The plant makes an unsuccessful attempt to absorb water from the soil to make up for the lack. Gradually the damaged area rolls over and develops split leaves with brown colour spots.
So how can you recognize mealybugs and spider mites? When young, spider mites are oval-shaped, lightly bristled, and pale green. As they get older, they develop distinct dark green spots. White insects without wings or legs are known as mealybugs.
Fixing Guide
You must act quickly if you want to get rid of insecticides. However, the pests must first be identified.
Your issue can be readily resolved with a high-quality insecticide. Insecticides marketed as “mulberry mealybug killers” are widely accessible.
Perhaps you shouldn’t use artificial chemicals. In that scenario, I myself make an effective organic insecticide at home. You can also try it if you want. For this, you will need water, dish soap and vegetable oil.
First, take three spoons of vegetable oil and two spoons of dish soap in a medium size container. Then mix well. Now mix 250 water and shake well. Organic Dormant Well Insecticide is now available. Spray a whole plant once a week.
6. Physical Damage
Neglecting your Cebu blue pothos while taking care of other plants? Because in many cases sudden external attack is responsible for the leaf splitting of blue pothos.
If you keep your plant in a place where small children or pets can easily reach it, they may attack and split the leaves. Even if the tree is hit by a heavy object, its leaves are damaged, and stem bending occurs.
Even when you are applying water or pruning, such accidents can happen.
Fixing Guide
Physical damage from Cebu blue pothos cannot be prevented without awareness. Each plant should be equally careful. The plant should be placed in such a place that pets or children cannot reach it.
Water cannot be applied with excessive force. Apply it slowly with a small container. Apply to the soil first and then to the plant without applying directly to the plant.
At the same time, not much pruning is required. Yellow, brown, and split leaves should be removed. Pruning equipment should be cleaned with disinfectants.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I propagate my Cebu Blue Pothos from a split leaf?
Ans: Yes, you can propagate your Cebu Blue Pothos from a split leaf. Simply cut off the part of the leaf that has split, making sure to include a portion of the stem. Place the stem in water or soil, and it should root and start growing into a new plant.
Q: How often should I fertilize my Cebu Blue Pothos?
Ans: Cebu Blue Pothos is a slow-growing plant that does not require frequent fertilization. You can fertilize it once every two to three months using a balanced fertilizer or a fertilizer specifically formulated for houseplants.
Q: Can Cebu Blue Pothos be grown outdoors?
Ans: Cebu Blue Pothos can be grown outdoors in tropical and subtropical regions where the temperature does not fall below 55°F (13°C). However, it is usually grown as an indoor plant in other regions.
Q: Why does my Cebu blue pothos have tears?
Ans: If your Cebu blue pothos plant is sweating, it means it is absorbing too much moisture or being overwatered. You can easily solve this problem by reducing the amount of water applied.
Q: Can I give my pothos tap water?
Ans: Pothos plants can adapt to tap water. But using straight tap water has some disadvantages. Chlorine and other chemicals mixed in tap water often damage the normal growth of plants. So it is better to use a filter. If tap water is to be used, the water should be left in a container for at least twenty-four hours and then applied.
The Final Word
Leaf splitting of Cebu blue pothos plants is a common problem but can be fatal if not treated in time. So you need to find out the root cause as soon as possible. Because the solution is different for every problem and fixing the tree is much easier once the root problem is identified.
I have discussed from my own experience the problem of split leaves of blue pothos and all the possible solutions. Hope they will be effective in fixing your tree.
Happy Gardening.
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