How to Grow Hops

Humulus lupulus

Perennial

Hops are vigorous perennial climbers that die back in winter and regrow 6-9 m each spring. Plant rhizomes or potted plants in spring in rich, well-drained soil with full sun. Provide strong vertical support (wires to 5 m, sturdy poles, or a pergola). Train 3-4 bines clockwise up each support in spring and remove the rest. Water well in summer, feed monthly, and harvest cones in late August-September when papery and aromatic. Cut all growth to ground level after leaf fall.

Yearly Lifecycle

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Bud Break Flowering Fruiting Leaf Fall

Care Essentials

Apply a balanced fertiliser in early spring as new shoots emerge. Side-dress with compost in midsummer for vigorous growth.

Watch For

Downy mildew
Hop aphid (Phorodon humuli)
Spider mites
Verticillium wilt

Companions

Clematis, Runner beans, Sweet peas, Morning glory

Track your Hops care schedule — pruning, feeding, and seasonal tasks

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Growing Tips

Train clockwise

Hop bines naturally twine clockwise. If you wrap them anticlockwise they will unwind and fall. Always train in the direction of the sun.

Select the strongest bines

Each crown produces many shoots in spring. Choose only 3-4 of the most vigorous per support and cut the rest at ground level to concentrate energy.

Check cone ripeness

Ripe cones feel dry and papery, spring back when squeezed, and leave yellow lupulin powder on your fingers. Green, damp cones are not ready.

Prevent downy mildew

Good airflow is essential. Remove lower leaves up to 1 m, thin excess bines, and avoid overhead watering. Downy mildew thrives in humid, still conditions.

Popular Varieties

Cascade

The most popular American hop variety. Floral, citrusy aroma with moderate bitterness. Vigorous grower, good disease resistance. The backbone of American pale ales and IPAs.

Fuggle

Classic English hop with earthy, woody, slightly floral character. Moderate alpha acids. The traditional choice for English bitters and milds. Well-suited to UK growing conditions.

Goldings

Premium English aroma hop with smooth, gentle, slightly spicy character. Low alpha acids. Used in traditional English ales and lagers. Excellent for dry-hopping.

Chinook

High-alpha American hop with bold pine and grapefruit character. Dual-purpose for bittering and aroma. Vigorous, tall-growing plants with good yields.

Log Hops in your garden — track growth, care, and harvests year after year

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