Common Hops plant profile
Humulus lupulus
A perennial ornamental for full sun.
Last updated .
When to plant
When to plant Common Hops
Common hops is a fast, herbaceous perennial twining vine that dies back each winter and regrows from the root, climbing 15 to 20 feet in a season and bearing fragrant cone-like fruits (used to flavor beer) in late summer to fall (NC State: mid-summer to fall). Plant in spring in well-drained soil with a sturdy support; cut the dead stems back after the plant dies down. It is dioecious, so both male and female plants are needed for seed.
The calendar shows this cited seasonal window as an approximate band. It does not convert the season into frost-adjusted dates.
Open Common Hops in my garden calendarShows the source-backed planting season, not frost-adjusted dates.
Growing conditions
- Sun
- Full sun
- Soil pH
- 6 to 8
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Hardiness
- Zones 5a to 8bFind my hardiness zone
Common problems
Watch for these
Also watch for: contact dermatitis.
Next steps
Continue with Common Hops
Evidence trail
Evidence behind this profile
Original extension and institutional publications behind the planting, care, and safety facts on this page.
- Humulus lupulus (Common Hops, European Hops, Hops)
North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (NC State Extension). Supports general reference. Checked 2026-06-18.