Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Look closely at the underside of the curled leaves.
- Check for white dusty spots on the foliage.
- Ensure the plant has good airflow.
Likely causes
Aphids
Most likelyHow to tell: You see small clusters of green or black insects on new growth. The leaves look distorted or curled as they grow.
What to do: Spray the leaves with a gentle stream of water to knock the bugs off. Use insecticidal soap once a week until the pests are gone.
Powdery Mildew
PossibleHow to tell: White dusty patches appear on the leaves. The leaves may curl or look stunted as the fungus spreads.
What to do: Increase air circulation around the plant. Wipe the leaves with a damp cloth and apply a fungicide if the infection is heavy.
Find out what's wrong with your japanese hop
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
Curling is serious if it affects new growth and prevents the vine from climbing. Minor curling on old leaves is usually just aging.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the leaves clean and check them for pests every time you water. Provide plenty of space between plants for air to move.
Japanese hop: curling leaves? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your japanese hop and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free
Questions people ask
- Are aphids harmful to my hop?
- Yes, they suck the sap and weaken the plant. They also cause the leaves to curl and look unsightly.
- Does this plant flower?
- Japanese hops do produce small flowers, but they are not the showy blooms people usually expect. They need full sun to bloom well.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Japanese hop
- Why are there bugs on my Japanese hop?
- What are these white spots on my Japanese hop?
- Why is my Japanese hop drooping?
- Why is my Japanese hop growing so leggy?
- Why are my Japanese hop leaves turning yellow?
- Why are my Japanese hop's leaf tips turning brown?
- Why is my Japanese hop losing its leaves?
- Why does my Japanese hop have root rot?
Back to the Japanese hop guide
This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.