Common Beer Hops ( Humulus lupulus ) are perennial vines that are native to Europe, North America and cooler regions of western Asia. Hops are most famous for their use in the Beer brewing industry and are heavily cultivated for this purpose, so if you want to brew your own beer; this is the plant for you! It is the unfertilised female flowers that are used as a flavouring and preservative in Beer. Humulus lupulus plants are dioecious; which means that plants are either male or female. Only the female plants are necessary for the production of Beer, the male plant is only needed if seed is required.
Beer Hops are an attractive and quite easy to grow; and commonly grown purely as an ornamental plant. The fact that they assist in production of one of the worlds most popular drinks is certainly not their only feature. Both the leaves and young shoots of this species are edible. Furthermore; the plant is used for medicinal purposes.
Suitable for Cold to warm Temperate Climates. Beer Hops can be grown in humid tropical climates but they are high care and may not produce as much fruit/flowers for beer growing as they do in cooler climates.
Growth
Humulus lupulus plants are fairly quick growing and require support for them to climb. They are easily grown up trellis’ but are usually commercially grown up post and wire set ups.
The vines themselves grow to around 6-9 metres in length each year, with a spread of 1-2 metres. Hops will die back in Autumn each year, then grow back from a rhizomatous root once the days become warmer and lengthen in Spring. The leaves are green and deeply lobed, usually with 3-5 lobes; similar to a maple leaf but with serrated edges.
Beer Hops prefer a full sun location but will tolerate afternoon shade in warmer climates. A well draining but moist, nutrient rich soil is best. Harvest in late Summer.
Beer Hop Plant – Gender Identification
The sex of Beer Hops plants are identified by their different flowers. The male flowers are a creamy to light green colour and have thicker petals, which makes them look more like a flower than the female one do. Females on the other hand, have very thin petal like white spikes; appearing more like a little pompom than a flower.
For beer hop production male plants are unnecessary; in fact globally most breweries will have no male plants at all.
NOTE: Sex that plants will become cannot be assessed from seed observation. It is luck that depends on how many male or female plants you may get from your seeds,. However as an overall percentage, we have found that females plants are more dominant. Seeds are for common beer hops only, not specific varieties such as Cascade etc.
FAMILY:
Cannabaceae
CLIMATE:
Cold to Warm Temperate. Can be grown in Sub-Tropical and Tropical areas with extra care.
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
-30°C to 32°C / -22 to 90°F
SOIL TYPE:
Well draining, moist nutritious soil.
LOCATION:
Full Sun – Part Shade.
HEIGHT:
Up to 10 metres (32 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 2 metres (6.5 feet)
pH:
6.0-6.8
GROWTH TYPE:
Perennial, deciduous, fast growing.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Low-Medium.
POLLINATION:
Pollinated by Wind
MATURITY:
6-12 months – production is best after 3 years.
GERMINATION RATES:
65-85%
GERMINATION TIME:
8 weeks cold stratification + 4-8 weeks germination
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 300
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes.
WEED POTENTIAL:
No.
EDIBLE:
Yes.
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) up to 2 years.
FACTS ABOUT HUMULUS LUPULUS (Common Hops)
Humulus lupulus was first recorded as being used for brewing beer back in 736AD.
The young leaves and shoots of this species can be eaten either fresh or cooked and have a unique flavour. The rhizomes are also edible. A tea can be made with the leaves that can have a sedative effect.
Hops have many medicinal uses. Its compounds, among other things are proven to assist with insomnia. Hops also contain a compound similar to estrogen that can be helpful during menopause; perhaps this is why some males can become so moody after drinking too much beer … yes, this section was written by a female haha!
