If you’re looking for a climbing plant that doesn’t mess around, look no further than hops. These vines are famous for their lightning-fast growth, making them a fantastic choice for a natural privacy screen. Plus, on those scorching summer afternoons, a lush wall of hops provides some seriously refreshing shade.
How Fast Do Hops Actually Grow?
Standard practice is to cut hops back to just above ground level in the spring. Once they wake up, they really take off. You can almost watch them grow in real-time! Here’s a quick breakdown of their speed:
- Hops can grow up to four inches (10 cm) in a single day.
- Under ideal conditions, you’re looking at nearly three feet of growth per week.
- Common hops typically reach about 23 feet (7 meters) in height.
- Wild varieties can soar up to 30 feet (9 meters).
- If you’re growing them in containers, they usually top out around 10 to 13 feet.
The Pros and Cons of a Fast Grower
When grown in a pot, hops won’t reach their full height potential because their root systems are restricted. In the open ground, however, they don’t just grow up—they grow out. Hops spread via underground runners (rhizomes), and if you aren’t careful, they can quickly crowd out your other garden favorites. My advice? Keep an eye out for young shoots popping up where they don’t belong and trim them back immediately. If you want to keep things low-maintenance, sticking to containers is a great way to keep that expansion in check.
On the plus side, that rapid growth means you’ll have a beautiful, leafy screen on your garden fence or balcony in no time. And let’s not forget the decorative cones! They look great, smell amazing, and are the star ingredient if you’re into homebrewing or herbal remedies.
Don’t Forget the Fertilizer!
Because hops put on so much mass so quickly, they are “heavy feeders.” They need plenty of fuel to keep up that pace. I recommend feeding them once a month with a good quality vegetable fertilizer. This is especially crucial if you’re growing them in containers, where nutrients in the soil get used up much faster.
