Humulus lupulus aka Hops

Taxonomy

Humulus lupulus, also known as common hop or hops, is a perennial, herbaceous climbing plant that is native to West Asia, Europe, and North America. It can grow up to 20 feet tall and produces lush green vines covered in creamy cone-like flowers. As a dioecious plant, it has separate male and female plants, and the female flowers are used to preserve and flavor beer, making it a widely cultivated species for the brewing industry. However, hops can also be an ornamental choice for home gardeners and provide shade and privacy in the garden. They thrive in USDA plant hardiness zones 4 through 8 when given proper care, including regular watering, well-draining soil, and organic fertilizer during the peak growing season. Hop plants belong to the Humulus genus and are native to Europe, Siberia, Northern Iran, and Morocco. As a houseplant, they need long-lasting, direct light and should be placed less than 1 foot from a window.

Common names

Hops, Bine, Common Hop

How to care for Hops

Difficulty

If you're looking for a plant that offers a moderate level of challenge, Hops is a great choice to test your gardening skills.

Water

Hops should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Hops loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Hops requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Bine is always in the right place to thrive.

Dormancy

During the cold period, it is common for Hops to go dormant, resulting in a slowdown of growth. To accommodate this, waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

Hops is poisonous if ingested. We suggest keeping this plant out of reach if you have children, cats, or dogs in the home.

Region of origin

Hops’s native range is Much of Europe, including Britain, to W. Asia.


More info:
Wikipedia