Skip to content
Pocket Botanist
Get the app

Japanese hop · Humulus scandens

Why are my Japanese hop leaves turning yellow?

It is less common for this plant to have yellow leaves, which usually happens due to overwatering or poor drainage. Check the soil moisture levels first to see if the roots are sitting in too much water.

Not sure it's this? Check a photo of your plant for free

yellow leaves on a plant
Photo: Trio3D, CC BY-SA 4.0

Check these first

  1. Check the soil moisture with your finger.
  2. Examine the drainage holes for blockages.
  3. Look for signs of pests on the undersides of the leaves.

Likely causes

  1. Overwatering

    Most likely

    How to tell: The lower leaves turn yellow and feel soft or mushy. The soil stays wet for more than a week.

    What to do: Allow the top 2 inches of soil to dry out before watering again. Ensure your pot has drainage holes so excess water can escape.

  2. Nutrient deficiency

    Possible

    How to tell: The leaves turn a pale yellow while the veins remain green. This often happens if the plant has been in the same pot for a long time.

    What to do: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength every 4 weeks during the growing season. Repot the plant into fresh soil if it has outgrown its container.

Yellow leaves on other plants

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.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

When to worry

Occasional yellowing of the oldest leaves at the base is normal as the plant ages. If the yellowing spreads rapidly to new growth, take action immediately.

Stopping it coming back

Water only when the top layer of soil feels dry and ensure the pot drains well.

Japanese hop: yellow 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.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

Should I remove yellow leaves?
Yes, you can snip off yellow leaves with clean scissors. This keeps the plant looking tidy and helps you monitor new growth.
Is it a disease?
Yellowing is rarely a disease on its own, but it can be a sign that the roots are stressed by too much water.

More problems with Japanese hop

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.