Common Hop - Humulus lupulus -  €9per plant

The value of hops in the beer-making process is well known and has been undisputed for centuries. Usually the unfertilized seed heads are preferred and so most male plants are discarded.  Best suited to temperate zones, hops do well in a rich deep loam, although they can succeed in quite dry soils making them a good choice for areas prone to drought.  The plant’s medicinal uses are impressively extensive and findings point to hops becoming even more widely used in both medicine and nutrition. To order this plant please contact us [email protected].  

Context

  • native region: Much of Europe, including Britain, to West China
  • native habitat: Hedgerows, woodlands and sunny waste grounds
  • family: Cannabidaceae

Pest and Predators

  • Aphids & Spider Mites can sometimes cause damage
  • Powdery mildew can affect hops.

Needs, tolerances 

  • Light: Semi-shade or Full sun
  • soil pH: Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils.
  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 5 - 7
  • Prefers dry or moist soil
  • Can tolerate drought
  • Likes a warm and sheltered position

Known hazards 


  • Skin contact with the plant causes dermatitis in sensitive people, which has been termed "Hops dermatitis".
  • Avoid during pregnancy (due to undesired antispasmodic action on uterus).
  • Avoid with breast, uterine and cervical cancers.

Overview

  • 1 yr seedlings in plant bag
  • Dioecious climbing perennial growing to 7m at a medium - fast rate. ​
  • It is in flower from July to August
  • Seeds ripen September - October
  • The flowers are dioecious (so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required) and are pollinated by wind. The plant is not self-fertile. 
  • Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils.
  • Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils.
  • It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or full sun.
  •  It prefers moist or dry soil.

Characteristics

  • form: Herbaceous climber 
  • layer : Vertical or Ground Layer
  • habit: climbing/creeping
  • height (m): 7

Products & Uses

  • Flowers: Are the most common ingredient in most beers. The dried flowering heads of female plants are dried and used in the brewing industry.
  • Seeds: The seeds contain gamma-linolenic acid, an essential fatty acid that is said to have numerous important functions in the human body
  • Medicinal Uses: Quite extensive. It has calming effects and the female flowers are used to treat insomnia.  
  • Hops have been quite extensively studied for their antibiotic, antiseptic, and tuberculocidal properties
  • Female flowers have successfully treated gastritis

Functions, behaviours

  • Grows vigorously from the end of April to the beginning of July in the temperate climate zone.
  • Hops are quite deep rooted, but have a network of shallow feeding roots
  • Attracts a range of butterflies.
  • A climbing plant which supports itself by twining around the branches of other plants.
If you would like this plant please send an email to [email protected] with your order. 
Balkan Ecology Project