Plant Library

Other Names:  Hoya Shepherdii, String Bean Hoya, Shepard's Hoya

Description:

A beautiful succulent vine that is primarily grown as a houseplant; long and narrow waxy green foliage with dark green margins cascade from indoor hanging baskets and containers; sweet smelling clusters of purple flowers dangle among the foliage

Features & Attributes

Hoya Longifolia features showy corymbs of lightly-scented white star-shaped flowers with shell pink eyes dangling from the stems in mid summer. Its glossy narrow leaves remain forest green in color with distinctive dark green edges throughout the year.

This is an herbaceous houseplant with a spreading, ground-hugging habit of growth. This plant usually looks its best without pruning, although it will tolerate pruning.

Planting & Growing

When grown indoors, Hoya Longifolia can be expected to grow to be about 10 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 4 feet. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. This houseplant should be situated in a location that that gets indirect sunlight at most, although it will usually require a more brightly-lit environment than what artificial indoor lighting alone can provide. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist soil, but will not tolerate any standing water. The surface of the soil shouldn't be allowed to dry out completely, and so you should expect to water this plant once and possibly even twice each week. Be aware that your particular watering schedule may vary depending on its location in the room, the pot size, plant size and other conditions; if in doubt, ask one of our experts in the store for advice. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soil. Contact the store for specific recommendations on pre-mixed potting soil for this plant.

There are many factors that will affect the ultimate height, spread and overall performance of a plant when grown indoors; among them, the size of the pot it's growing in, the amount of light it receives, watering frequency, the pruning regimen and repotting schedule. Use the information described here as a guideline only; individual performance can and will vary. Please contact the store to speak with one of our experts if you are interested in further details concerning recommendations on pot size, watering, pruning, repotting, etc.

-- THIS IS A HOUSEPLANT AND IS NOT MEANT TO SURVIVE THE WINTER OUTDOORS IN OUR CLIMATE --