Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Feel the soil to see if it is waterlogged.
- Check the drainage holes for any blockages.
- Smell the soil for a sour or rotten odor.
Likely causes
Overwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The soil feels constantly wet or swampy, and the plant looks yellow and sickly. The roots will appear brown and mushy rather than firm and white.
What to do: Stop watering immediately and allow the top 3 inches of soil to dry out completely. If the plant is in a pot, ensure the drainage holes are not blocked.
Poor Drainage
PossibleHow to tell: Water pools on the surface of the soil long after you finish watering. The plant shows signs of decline despite your efforts to keep it healthy.
What to do: Amend the soil with perlite or coarse sand to improve aeration. If the plant is in a container, repot it into a well draining mix.
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 stems feel soft at the base or if the plant stops growing entirely. It is normal for the plant to slow down its water intake during cloudy or cool weather.
Stopping it coming back
Always check the soil moisture before watering and ensure the plant is in a spot with excellent drainage.
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.
Questions people ask
- Can I save a plant with root rot?
- If the rot is caught early, you can save the plant by letting it dry out. If the roots are mostly black and mushy, the plant may not recover.
- Do hops need a lot of water?
- They need consistent moisture, but they hate sitting in standing water. Aim for moist, not soggy, soil.
More problems with Hops
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.