Climber · Cannabaceae family · with preparation per the EMAornamental and medicinal · also in Medicinal herbs
common hop
Humulus lupulus
In short a 10-second read
Common hop (climber) grows to 4.6–6.1 m tall and 0.9–1.8 m wide when mature. It grows best in full sun to part shade, in average to moist soil. It flowers in July–October; the flowers are green or yellow. Hardy to −29 °C.
× spread 0.9–1.8 m
Where to plant
Sun, soil, frost.
It grows best in full sun to part shade, in average to moist soil. Hardy to −29 °C.
Sun
Tolerates several positions — choose to suit the rest of the garden.
Soil and water
average to moist · watering: moderate
Soil: loamy, humus-rich
Soil pH 5.5–8.5
Frost
It copes with a normal winter outdoors.
How much space it takes
Mature size.
The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).
Next to a person
Reaches maturity in about 2–5 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.
Calendar
What to do and when.
Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.
The year at a glance
Flowers
July–October · green or yellow
Pruning
cut back to the ground (November–December)
Planting
container plant: October–April
Winter protection
not needed
Overwintering
It copes with winter on its own.
It overwinters outdoors without protection, hardy to −29 °C.
- Needs no protection
- Hardy to −29 °C
- Deciduous — bare in winter
Frequently asked
Quick answers.
When does common hop flower?
In July–October; the flowers are green or yellow.
Does common hop tolerate shade?
It tolerates part shade (3–6 hours of sun), but not full shade.
How much space does common hop need?
At maturity 0.9–1.8 m wide and 4.6–6.1 m tall; recommended spacing 100 cm.
Does common hop survive winter outdoors?
Yes, without protection, hardy to −29 °C.
Where the data comes from
We compared the data in 19 expert sources. Last checked 20 October 2026.
Show sources (19)
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder — Humulus lupulus
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — Humulus lupulus
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Humulus lupulus
- GBIF Occurrence Search API — Humulus lupulus
- Wikidata (CC0) — Humulus lupulus
- EPPO Global Database — Humulus lupulus
- RHS - Humulus lupulus (f)
- EMA/HMPC - Lupuli flos (herbal medicine)
- EMA/HMPC - monografia Lupuli flos (EMA/HMPC/682384/2013)
- Oregon State Extension - Growing hops in the home garden
- RHS - Trees and shrubs: planting
- Clemson HGIC - Planting Trees Correctly
- Invasive plant lists — this species is not on them: EASIN, EU, Slovakia, Czechia, Germany, Poland, Denmark
Similar plants
Have a look at these too.
Preparation and use · common hop
How to prepare it.
According to the monograph of the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
part: cone
For: mild symptoms of stress and to aid sleep EMA 4.1For whom: From 12 years · adolescents, adults, elderly EMA 4.2
- What you use
- Herb EMA 4.2
- How it is used
- By mouth EMA 4.2
- Single dose
- 500 mg of dried cones in 150–200 ml of boiling water EMA 4.2
- How often
- Up to 4× a day EMA 4.2
- How long
- If symptoms last longer than 2 weeks or get worse, see a doctor. EMA 4.2
Method
- 1
Put 500 mg of dried cones in a cup.
EMA 4.2 - 2
Pour over 150–200 ml of boiling water.
EMA 4.2 - 3
Steep for 5–15 min.
EMA/HMPC/5829/201010:00 - 4
Drink up to 4× a day.
EMA 4.2
For: mild symptoms of stress and to aid sleep EMA 4.1For whom: From 12 years · adolescents, adults, elderly EMA 4.2
- What you use
- Herb EMA 4.2
- How it is used
- By mouth EMA 4.2
- Single dose
- 500–1,000 mg of dried cones in 150–200 ml of boiling water EMA 4.2
- When
- 30–60 min before bedtime EMA 4.2
- How long
- If symptoms last longer than 2 weeks or get worse, see a doctor. EMA 4.2
Method
- 1
Put 500–1,000 mg of dried cones in a cup. EMA 4.2
- 2
Pour over 150–200 ml of boiling water. EMA 4.2
- 3
Steep for 5–15 min. EMA/HMPC/5829/2010
- 4
Drink 30–60 min before bedtime. EMA 4.2
part: cone
Powdered herb from a pharmacy
A ready-made product. The exact method is in the package leaflet.
For: mild symptoms of stress and to aid sleep EMA 4.1For whom: Adults EMA 4.2
- What you use
- Powdered herb EMA 4.2
- How it is used
- By mouth EMA 4.2
- Single dose
- 400 mg EMA 4.2
- How often
- 2× a day EMA 4.2
- How long
- If symptoms last longer than 2 weeks or get worse, see a doctor. EMA 4.2
Method
- 1
Weigh out 400 mg of powder.
EMA 4.2 - 2
Take it 2× a day.
EMA 4.2
For: mild symptoms of stress and to aid sleep EMA 4.1For whom: From 12 years · adolescents EMA 4.2
- What you use
- Powdered herb EMA 4.2
- How it is used
- By mouth EMA 4.2
- Single dose
- 200 mg EMA 4.2
- How often
- 2× a day EMA 4.2
- How long
- If symptoms last longer than 2 weeks or get worse, see a doctor. EMA 4.2
Method
- 1
Weigh out 200 mg of powder. EMA 4.2
- 2
Take it 2× a day. EMA 4.2
For: mild symptoms of stress and to aid sleep EMA 4.1For whom: From 12 years · adolescents, adults, elderly EMA 4.2
- What you use
- Powdered herb EMA 4.2
- How it is used
- By mouth EMA 4.2
- Single dose
- 800–2,000 mg EMA 4.2
- When
- 30–60 min before bedtime EMA 4.2
- How long
- If symptoms last longer than 2 weeks or get worse, see a doctor. EMA 4.2
Method
- 1
Weigh out 800–2,000 mg of powder. EMA 4.2
- 2
Take it 30–60 min before bedtime. EMA 4.2
part: cone
Tincture from a pharmacy
For: mild symptoms of stress and to aid sleep EMA 4.1For whom: From 12 years · adolescents, adults, elderly EMA 4.2
- What you use
- Tincture EMA 4.2
- How it is used
- By mouth EMA 4.2
- Tincture
- 1 : 5, ethanol 60 % EMA 2
- Maceration
- 3 days pharmacopoeia (USP)
- Single dose
- 1–2 ml EMA 4.2
- How often
- Up to 3× a day EMA 4.2
- How long
- If symptoms last longer than 2 weeks or get worse, see a doctor. EMA 4.2
Method
- 1
Measure out 1–2 ml of tincture.
EMA 4.2 - 2
Take it up to 3× a day.
EMA 4.2
Dosage
| Form | Single dose | How often | For whom | How long | Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Herbal tea (infusion)at homepart: cone | 500 mg of dried cones in 150–200 ml of boiling water EMA 4.2 | up to 4× a day | From 12 years · adolescents, adults, elderly | longer than 2 weeks → see a doctor EMA 4.2 | |
| Herbal tea (infusion)at homepart: cone | 500–1,000 mg of dried cones in 150–200 ml of boiling water EMA 4.2 | From 12 years · adolescents, adults, elderly | longer than 2 weeks → see a doctor EMA 4.2 | When: 30–60 min before bedtime EMA 4.2 | |
| Powdered herbfrom a pharmacypart: cone | 400 mg EMA 4.2 | 2× a day | Adults | longer than 2 weeks → see a doctor EMA 4.2 | |
| Powdered herbfrom a pharmacypart: cone | 200 mg EMA 4.2 | 2× a day | From 12 years · adolescents | longer than 2 weeks → see a doctor EMA 4.2 | |
| Powdered herbfrom a pharmacypart: cone | 800–2,000 mg EMA 4.2 | From 12 years · adolescents, adults, elderly | longer than 2 weeks → see a doctor EMA 4.2 | When: 30–60 min before bedtime EMA 4.2 | |
| Tincturefrom a pharmacy or at home ↓part: cone | 1–2 ml EMA 4.2 | up to 3× a day | From 12 years · adolescents, adults, elderly | longer than 2 weeks → see a doctor EMA 4.2 | Tincture: 1 : 5, ethanol 60 % EMA 2 |
| Children under 12: not recommended EMA 4.2 | |||||
How long
If symptoms last longer than 2 weeks or get worse, see a doctor. EMA 4.2
Who should not use it
- Children under 12: not recommended EMA 4.2
- If hypersensitive (allergic) to this plant EMA 4.3
- During pregnancy and breastfeeding (not recommended) EMA 4.6
Cautions
- If symptoms get worse, see a doctor. EMA 4.4
- The tincture contains alcohol (ethanol). EMA 4.4
- If you take any medicines, ask a doctor or pharmacist. GridGarden
- Do not drive after taking it. GridGarden
Home-made tincture · per the EMA
Tincture at home.
The EMA also lists a tincture. This is how to make it from dried herb from your bed.
Weigh
of dried cones, chopped
calculated · 1 : 5Cover with alcohol
ethanol 60 %, in a glass jar
EMA 2Leave to steep
close the jar, keep it in the dark and shake it now and then
pharmacopoeia (USP)Use
up to 3× a day · from 12 years
EMA 4.2Before taking the tincture
The tincture contains alcohol. Read this before use:
- Children under 12: not recommendedEMA 4.2
- If hypersensitive (allergic) to this plantEMA 4.3
- During pregnancy and breastfeeding (not recommended)EMA 4.6
- The tincture contains alcohol (ethanol).EMA 4.4
- If symptoms get worse, see a doctor.EMA 4.4
- If you take any medicines, ask a doctor or pharmacist.GridGarden
- Do not drive after taking it.GridGarden
Source: EMA/HMPC monograph EMA/HMPC/682384/2013 · Steeping days and straining