How-to Guide
How to Grow Hops at Home
The short answer
Hops are vigorous perennial bines grown for their cones. They need full sun, good air circulation, and room to climb 15 to 20 feet, in well-drained soil (sandy or silt loam is best). A 14- to 15-foot trellis is enough for home use, though shorter works if you don't need maximum cone production.
Plant hops from rhizomes or potted plants, and start with virus-free stock from a known source. The twining stems climb fast — sometimes 12 inches in a day. Because insects and contaminated tools can spread disease, sterilize knives and hoes and control pests to keep plants healthy.
Site and trellis
- Full sun, good air circulation, low wind; a south-facing spot is ideal.
- Well-drained sandy or silt-loam soil.
- 14- to 15-foot vertical trellis is sufficient for home growers.
Planting and management
- 1Start clean — Plant rhizomes or potted plants from known, virus-free sources.
- 2Train the bines — Guide the fast-twining stems up the trellis (they can grow up to 12 inches a day).
- 3Stay sanitary — Sterilize knives, hoes, and tools and control aphids to limit spread of disease.
Sources
Reviewed 2026-07-18. We cite university Extension, government, and established horticultural sources — and never invent pesticide rates or dangerous treatments.
- Oregon State University Extension — Growing hops in the home garden (EM 9115) — Full sun, well-drained sandy/silt-loam soil; 14–15 ft trellis sufficient at home; rhizomes or potted plants; virus-free stock
- Utah State University Extension — Hops in the Garden — Hops grow 15–20 ft; stems can grow ~12 inches per day; sanitation and pest control limit disease spread