Japanese Hops Plant Care
Humulus scandens (Lour.) Merr.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Humulus japonicus is a species of flowering plant in family Cannabaceae. This ornamental plant is sometimes referred to by the common name Japanese hops.
Every 2–4 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Japanese Hops?
Water Japanese Hops every 2–4 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 4 months during the growing season.
What Is the Japanese Hops?
Japanese Hops (Humulus scandens) belongs to the Cannabaceae family within the Humulus genus. Japanese Hops is also known as Scandent Hop, Wild Hop.
Japanese Hops displays a fast-growing climbing vine growth habit, reaching up to 20 ft tall with a spread of approximately 6 ft. Japanese Hops produces small, greenish-yellow cone-shaped flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Japanese Hops?
Humulus scandens requires watering every 2–4 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 2–4 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Japanese Hops Need?
Japanese Hops thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Japanese Hops Prefer?
Humulus scandens grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Japanese Hops prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Japanese Hops?
Well-draining loamy soil with good fertility. Good drainage is essential for Japanese Hops to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Japanese Hops?
Feed Japanese Hops every 4 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 4 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Japanese Hops?
Repot annually in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Japanese Hops?
Japanese Hops can be propagated through by rhizome division or stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to common hop plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Japanese Hops Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Japanese Hops, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Japanese Hops?
Japanese Hops is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, japanese beetles. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Japanese Hops Need?
Japanese Hops grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Japanese Hops as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Japanese Hops is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Humulus genus — compare its care with other Humulus species on PlantoScan.
Humulus is part of the Cannabaceae plant family — browse all Cannabaceae genera and species.
Japanese Hops thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Humulus scandens (Lour.) Merr., family Cannabaceae (first published in Trans. Amer. Philos. Soc. , n.s., 24(2): 138 (1935)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Japanese Hops, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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