Common Name: String Bean Hoya
Botanical name: Hoya Shepherdii
A hoya lover is always looking for new hoyas to add to their collection! The String Bean Hoya has long and narrow deep green foliage with a glossy look to them. The Hoya shepherdii can be a great addition to houseplants for an elegant home! The String Bean Hoya will give you bursts of small and fragrant flowers in suitable environments. However, their bloom time is brief, so keep your eyes peeled for their fragrant and fleeting offering. Hoya shepherdiis are easy-care indoor plants if you have the medium to bright indirect light that they need. They don't require constant watering and do not require high humidity levels.
Light
The String Bean Hoya like heaps of bright, indirect sunlight and will be right at home if they can make indirect contact for at least 6 hours each day. Hoya shepherdii can tolerate medium light, but they’ll become weak and leggy and produce fewer leaves in lower light. Enusre these long-leaved Hoyas are close to an east, or north-facing window or set back from a south or west-facing window. The more natural dappled light they absorb, the greater the odds they will shower you with flowers during the summer!
Water
Let your Hoya shepherdii dry out between watering. Soak the soil thoroughly until the water drains out from the drainage holes. You’ll need to water more when they’re receiving more light, so adjust accordingly. If you find the soil has become compacted, soak the entire root ball in water for ten minutes and this will soften the soil. Do not over-water. When the colder months arrive, cut back on watering. During wintertime, only water when their soil is completely dry.
Soil
Almost all types of hoyas need soil with excellent drainage. String Beans Hoyas should never be planted in dense soil mixtures with moisture-retaining crystals. You can use a universal potting soil for this string bean plant. But reduce the watering frequency when using this type of soil as it will retain water longer causing potential damage to the roots! Nutrient-rich, loose soils are perfect mixtures for String Bean Hoyas! If your soil is not draining well, or you are transplanting your hoya, mix 1/2 cactus soil with 1/2 potting soil to increase drainage of the soil.
Temperature
The String Bean Hoya loves warm environments that stays between 65℉ and 85℉ - and should be kept away from drafty windows and doorways during the colder months.
Humidity
Although the Hoya Shepherdii can handle most household humidity levels, they will grow more rapidly when the humidity is higher than 60%. Do what you can to increase the humidity for these tropical indoor plants. Try adding pebble trays filled with water under your String Bean Hoyas, group several hoyas together, or use a cool mist humidifier. Learn how to increase the humidity in the air around your Hoya String Beans!
Fertilizer
For the Hoya shepherdii, a higher nitrogen fertilizer encourages foliar growth for the lean leaves. When they’re about to bloom, switch to a fertilizer with a higher phosphorus content. Fertilize with a complete liquid fertilizer (diluted to 1/4 the recommended strength) twice a month during the summer. You can also apply a top dressing of worm castings or compost in the spring, as this acts as a slow-release fertilizer. Only fertilize during the growing seasons.
Growth Rate
The semi-succulent Hoya shepherdii has deep green leaves that grow around 10 inches in length. The plant itself grows up to be around 12 inches in height when it reaches full maturity indoors with the proper care and environment!
Pet Friend or Foe
Hoya shepherdii is non-toxic to pets! Friend.
Pro Tips
- Hoya shepherdiis tolerate being root-bound so don’t be hasty in repotting! Their roots are fragile, and it may take years before they need to be re-potted.
- You can allow the Hoya shepherdiis to grow up a pole or some other support - if you like that look.
- When you find the right spot for the String Bean Hoya, and it is living its best life, try not to relocate it. Let it flourish!
- New growth on a String Bean can look like a dried-up and dead vine, please do not cut off the new growth! Wait for a few weeks and you will be glad you did not remove it!
- Spray a concentrated solution of neem oil once a month on the foliage to deter mealy bugs and other common pests from harming your hoya.