Hoya Shepherdii ‘String Bean’

 

The Hoya Shepherdii or ‘String Bean’ Hoya is new to the shop, and one of the most interesting Hoya’s we’ve found so far. The leaves are much longer and skinnier than other varieties, hence the name, but the care requirements are the same. The ‘String Bean’ Hoya looks especially beautiful hanging in a window, and makes a great starter if you’ve never had a Hoya before.

Ed’s Plant Profile

• Botanical Name: Hoya Shepherdii 
• Common Name(s): String Bean Hoya
• Family: Apocynaceae 
• Native Range: Eastern Himalayas and Assam

Ed’s Care Guide

• Care Level: Moderate
• Light: Medium to bright, filtered light. Harsh light will burn the foliage.
• Water: Allow top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out between watering; avoid over-watering. Smaller, more frequent watering is often best. This plant is drought tolerant yet if allowed to dry out too much, the waxy leaves will begin to shrivel and yellow; this is a sign to increase your watering schedule. If allowed to stay too moist, this may cause bacteria and root rot to develop.
• Humidity: Average 50-75%;Tolerant of lower levels of humidity
• Temperature: 55–85F
• Pruning: Prune as needed to remove brown or dead leaves and control growth.
• Feeding: Use a general-purpose liquid houseplant fertilizer at half strength once every month during the spring and summer only. 
• Propagation: Cuttings
• Growth: Fast-growing compared to other Hoyas. Trailing, vining growth habit will often follow the light and can be trained to grow up a trellis, totem pole or wall for a vertical display. This plant also looks elegant trailing from a hanging basket planter.
• Soil: Use a well-draining, lightweight soil mix, such as commercially available cactus soil.
• Pests: Look out for aphids, spider mites, mealybugs and other scale insects
• Toxicity: Hoya are widely known to be non-toxic to humans and animals yet if ingested may cause reactions in certain individuals. More research is needed in this area. As with all plants, we recommend you exercise caution around children and pets and keep plants out of reach.

Looking for houseplants that are safe for your furry friends? Check out our Guide to pet-friendly plants and learn how to create a vibrant, pet-safe space today!