How does Humulus lupulus grow?

Humulus lupulus is a herbaceous bine that climbs by twining its stems around supports such as trellises, fences, or other plants, often reaching considerable height in a single growing season.

When does Humulus lupulus bloom?

This vine typically flowers from June through September, producing small greenish flowers followed by the papery, cone-like strobiles used in brewing.

What kind of light and water does Humulus lupulus need?

It grows best in part shade to full sun with medium to consistently moist, well-drained soil, and it does not tolerate prolonged drought well.

What pollinates Humulus lupulus?

Bees and beetles visit the flowers of Humulus lupulus, though the plant is largely wind pollinated as well.

Is Humulus lupulus deciduous?

Yes, Humulus lupulus dies back to the ground each winter and resprouts from its rootstock in spring.

Is Bine toxic to dogs?

Yes. Bine is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Is Bine toxic to cats?

Bine is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for cats (aspca.org).

Is Bine HOA-friendly?

Bine takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Bine

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Humulus lupulus

Last reviewed: August 2026

Humulus lupulus is a fast growing climbing vine that blooms from June through September, doing well in part shade to full sun with medium to consistently moist soil.

Bine (Humulus lupulus) — Photo: Anton Kerner von Marilaun in his Natural History of Plants (1895). / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Bine is toxic to dogs.

Listed as toxic by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) (last reviewed 2026-05-21). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435and your veterinarian's emergency line.

Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants so you can choose a pet-safe native alternative for your yard.

Light

part shade

Water

medium

Size

120"–240" H × 24"–48" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AL, AR, CA, CO and 39 more states

Pollinators

bees, beetles

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Common hops is a vigorous climbing vine that can reach 20 feet in height, producing distinctive cone-shaped flowers in summer. This fast-growing perennial dies back to the ground each winter and regrows rapidly in spring, requiring sturdy support structures like trellises or fences.

Growing Bine

Grow Bine in part shade and medium water. Mature plants reach 120 to 240 inches tall and spread 24 to 48 inches wide. Expect high maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Bine takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: high. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Extremely vigorous growth can appear uncontrolled
Dies back completely in winter leaving bare supports
May spread aggressively and overtake other plants

Wildlife value

The summer blooms attract bees and beetles for pollination. The dense foliage provides nesting sites and cover for birds.

Common questions

How does Humulus lupulus grow?: Humulus lupulus is a herbaceous bine that climbs by twining its stems around supports such as trellises, fences, or other plants, often reaching considerable height in a single growing season.
When does Humulus lupulus bloom?: This vine typically flowers from June through September, producing small greenish flowers followed by the papery, cone-like strobiles used in brewing.
What kind of light and water does Humulus lupulus need?: It grows best in part shade to full sun with medium to consistently moist, well-drained soil, and it does not tolerate prolonged drought well.
What pollinates Humulus lupulus?: Bees and beetles visit the flowers of Humulus lupulus, though the plant is largely wind pollinated as well.
Is Humulus lupulus deciduous?: Yes, Humulus lupulus dies back to the ground each winter and resprouts from its rootstock in spring.
Is Bine toxic to dogs?: Yes. Bine is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Is Bine toxic to cats?: Bine is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for cats (aspca.org).
Is Bine HOA-friendly?: Bine takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

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