The ornamental or house hop Beloperone that we are talking about here is not winter hardy, it is usually cultivated as a house plant. There is also the Japanese ornamental hop Humulus japonicus. This is an annual and also not hardy.
Are ornamental hops suitable for winter?
Is ornamental hops hardy? No, both the Beloperone (room hops) and the Humulus japonicus (Japanese ornamental hops) are not hardy. As houseplants, they need a lot of light, little water and fertilizer in winter, at ideal temperatures of around 15 °C.
Beloperone, now also called Justitia brandegeana, is not related to real hops (Humulus lupulus), they belong to completely different plant families. The ornamental hop inflorescences, which are reminiscent of real hop flowers, gave this plant its name. If the ornamental hops get a lot of light, the bracts glow a rich yellow-reddish brown. They can be seen almost all year round.
Where should I overwinter my ornamental hops?
The easy-care ornamental hop can be left in its usual place in the room all winter long, but prefers a slightly cooler winter quarters. 15 °C is considered optimal, the acceptable temperature range is between around 12 °C and 18 °C. However, ornamental hops also like a lot of light in winter. A dark basement room is a very poor winter quarters.
How do I care for my ornamental hops in winter?
Like many other plants, ornamental hops need less water and no fertilizer at all in winter. The metabolism is slowed down and too much is now more harmful than beneficial. During this time, ornamental hops are also more susceptible to pest infestation. Therefore, check it every time you water for spider mites, aphids or similar creatures.
Sometimes ornamental hops lose their leaves in winter, there can be two different reasons for this. Either the plant has been watered too much or it is too warm. Limit watering and/or lower the room temperature a little and your ornamental hops will surely recover quickly. In spring you can then cut the plant back into shape.
The most important winter tips in brief:
- not hardy
- ideal winter temperature: approx. 15 °C
- A location that is too warm in winter damages the shape
- water little, otherwise it will shed its leaves
- Don’t let the soil dry out completely
- do not fertilize
- needs a lot of light even in winter
Tip
In winter, ornamental hops like to be a little cooler, but they need just as much light as in the summer months.
