Hop

Humulus lupulus

Engels: Hop

climberCannabaceae🇳🇱 InheemsEetbaar

Hop (Humulus lupulus) is a native to the Netherlands, edible climber from the Cannabaceae family that grows up to 8 meters tall. This plant thrives in full sun to partial shade and requires moderate maintenance. Blooms in late summer with green flowers and attracts birds.

Hoogte

400–800 cm

Breedte

200–400 cm

Zonligging

full sun, partial shade

Waterbehoefte

moderate

Grondsoort

loam

Onderhoud

moderate maintenance

Bloeitijd

late summer

Bloemkleuren

green

Ecologische waarde

Trekt vogels aan

Verzorgingskalender

Taak	Jan	Feb	Mrt	Apr	Mei	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Okt	Nov	Dec
🌱Planten
✂️Snoeien
💧Bemesten
🍎Oogsten

Care tips

Planting

Hop is a vigorous perennial climber that dies back to ground level each winter and regrows rapidly from spring onwards. Plant bare-root crowns or pot-grown plants in March, April or November, choosing a spot in full sun or partial shade. Hops tolerate some shade but produce more abundant cones in sunnier positions. They thrive in loam-based soil that is moisture-retentive yet well-drained; dig in plenty of garden compost or well-rotted manure before planting to improve structure and fertility. Space plants 200 cm apart to allow for their considerable spread—mature hops can easily cover 2–4 metres horizontally and climb 4–8 metres vertically. Dig a planting hole twice the width of the root ball and plant the crown 5–8 cm below the soil surface. Firm in gently and water thoroughly. Hops are twining climbers that need sturdy vertical support from the outset: install tall posts, wires, pergolas or allow them to scramble up trees or buildings. Traditional hop gardens use coir strings or wires running from ground anchors to overhead wires at 4–6 metres high. Immediately after planting, water well to settle the roots and apply a 5–8 cm layer of organic mulch around the base, keeping it clear of the crown itself. In the first season, guide the young bines (hop stems) clockwise around their supports as they emerge; they will quickly grip and climb on their own. Water regularly during dry spells in the first year to help establishment.

Pruning

Hop pruning is straightforward but essential for healthy, productive plants. The main pruning happens in late autumn (November) or late winter (February). In November, once the foliage has been blackened by frost and the cones harvested, cut all the bines down to ground level, removing the entire season's growth. This prevents overwintering of pests and diseases and tidies the plant for winter. Alternatively, leave this job until February if you prefer the dried stems for winter interest or wildlife habitat, but complete the cut-back before new shoots emerge in early spring. Use sharp secateurs or loppers for thinner stems and a pruning saw for older, woodier bines. The stems can be tough and fibrous, so take care when pulling them down from supports—untangle carefully or cut into manageable sections. Dispose of or compost the old growth; if disease has been present, bin it rather than composting. In February, tidy the crown by removing any dead or damaged material and clearing away old mulch and debris to expose fresh soil. Hops also benefit from thinning in late spring. When the new bines reach 30–60 cm tall (usually May), select the three to six strongest shoots per plant and pinch or cut out the rest at ground level. This concentrates the plant's energy into fewer, more vigorous bines that will climb higher and produce better cones. Throughout summer, trim back any wayward side-shoots if the plant is encroaching where it shouldn't, but avoid heavy pruning during the growing season.

Maintenance

Hops have moderate water needs and perform best with consistent moisture, especially during the rapid growth phase from April to July. Water deeply once or twice a week during dry spells in spring and summer, ensuring the soil remains evenly moist but not waterlogged. Reduce watering after the cones have formed in late summer, and stop altogether once the foliage begins to die back in autumn. Mulch annually in early spring with garden compost or well-rotted manure to conserve moisture, suppress weeds and feed the soil. Feed twice a year: apply a balanced general-purpose fertiliser or blood, fish and bone in March as new growth begins, then give a second feed in June with a potassium-rich fertiliser (such as tomato feed) to encourage cone development. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds after June, as these promote leafy growth at the expense of flowers. Hops are fully hardy (zone 3–8) and need no winter protection in temperate Europe. The crown survives underground and resprouts reliably each spring. Common pests include aphids, which cluster on young shoots and the undersides of leaves in early summer—spray with insecticidal soap or encourage natural predators. Red spider mite can be troublesome in hot, dry conditions; increase humidity by watering and misting. Powdery mildew and downy mildew may appear in damp summers; ensure good air circulation, avoid overhead watering, and remove affected leaves promptly. Slugs and snails can damage emerging shoots in spring, so protect young growth with barriers or organic pellets.