Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Inspect the underside of the leaves for fuzzy growth or small insects.
- Check if the soil is staying too wet for too long.
- Look for signs of poor airflow around the base of the bines.
Likely causes
Downy Mildew
Most likelyHow to tell: You will see angular yellow or brown spots that eventually turn necrotic. Look for gray or purple fuzzy spores on the underside of the leaves.
What to do: Remove and destroy all infected foliage immediately to stop the spread. Improve air circulation by thinning out the bines and avoid overhead watering.
Aphid Damage
Most likelyHow to tell: Small yellow or brown spots appear where aphids have been feeding on the sap. You may also see a sticky residue called honeydew on the leaves.
What to do: Spray the leaves with a strong stream of water to knock the insects off. If the infestation is heavy, apply insecticidal soap every 5 to 7 days until they are gone.
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 spots are spreading rapidly across the entire plant. A few small spots on older leaves are normal as the season progresses.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the bines spaced out to ensure good airflow and always water at the base of the plant to keep leaves dry.
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 eat hops with spots on them?
- It is best to avoid using cones from plants with severe mildew. If the spots are minor and on leaves only, the cones may still be fine.
- Will these spots kill my hops?
- Downy mildew can weaken the plant significantly if left untreated. Prompt removal of infected parts usually saves the plant.
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.