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Hops · Humulus lupulus

Why is my hop plant drooping?

Drooping is less common for hops and usually happens because the plant is thirsty during a hot spell. Check the soil moisture first to see if your plant needs a deep drink.

Check these first

  1. Touch the top 2 inches of soil to check for dryness.
  2. Observe if the plant recovers after the sun goes down.
  3. Inspect the undersides of leaves for aphid clusters.

Likely causes

  1. Underwatering

    Most likely

    How to tell: The leaves feel limp and the soil surface is dry to the touch. This often happens during peak summer heat when the plant is growing rapidly.

    What to do: Give the plant a thorough watering until water drains from the bottom of the pot or saturates the ground. Increase your watering frequency to every 2 days if temperatures stay above 85 degrees.

  2. Heat Stress

    Possible

    How to tell: The plant wilts during the hottest part of the day but perks up again in the evening. The soil is moist, but the sun is simply too intense.

    What to do: Provide a light shade cloth during the afternoon hours to protect the foliage. Ensure the root zone is mulched with 2 inches of straw to keep the soil temperature cooler.

Find out what's wrong with your hops

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

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When to worry

Worry if the plant stays wilted even after a deep watering and a cool night. It is normal for hops to droop slightly during the peak of a hot afternoon.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the soil consistently moist throughout the summer and apply a thick layer of mulch to retain water.

Keep your hops healthy from here

Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked. Identification and a health check are free.

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Questions people ask

Will my hops recover after drooping?
Yes, if you catch it early and provide water, the plant will usually bounce back within a few hours.
Should I prune drooping leaves?
Only prune them if they turn brown and crispy. If they are just wilted, they will likely recover once hydrated.

More problems with Hops

Back to the Hops guide

This article was generated with AI from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.