Herbs > Hop Herb

Information on, uses of and how to grow hop:

Name
Humulus lupulus.

Family
Cannabinaceae.

History
The hop has been used in Britain since the 16th century.

Growing pattern
Perennial.

Seeds
Buy Hop Seeds from The Green Chronicle (Pay in $US, £, Euro).
Herbs, Seasonings, Seeds and Spices - Buy Hops Flowers from Mountain Rose Herbs ($US).

How to grow
Hop seeds can be sown outside in late spring. The seedlings should be thinned to 15-30cm. The plants need support and should be kept well-watered if the weather is dry. Top dress the plants in spring. The hop can also be propagated by root division.

Soil condition/position
Rich, moist soil in light shade.

Appearance
The Hop is a vigorous vine. The female cones are a greenish yellow in colour and the male flowers have 5 tiny petals hanging in loose bunches.

Uses
In summer the young hop shoots can be boiled until tender and served with melted butter and a twist of lemon. They can also be used in soup. Pillows stuffed with dried hops are said to promote sleep and hop tea taken last thing at night is soothing. It is the female cones which are gather, dried and used for beer and ale flavouring.

If you have a question about Hop, have a look at our reader's question page on Hop.