Chinook Common Hops

Humulus lupulus 'Chinook'

Nature Hills Nursery

High Alpha Acid Content up to 14% for Bold, Complex Bittering in Craft Brews
Cold Hardy: Thrives in Zones 4-9
Grows 15-20 ft Tall, 12-15 ft Wide
Showy Green Blooms From Early Summer to Late Summer
Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant

$52⁵⁰

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Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: This vigorous climber needs at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sun to reach its full potential. While it can handle light afternoon shade in the hottest climates, less sun often results in lower cone production and slower vertical growth.
Soil: Chinook Hops thrive in deep, well-drained loamy soil that allows their extensive root systems to stretch. If you have heavy clay, mix in organic compost to improve drainage, as "wet feet" will quickly rot the crown.

Watering Requirements

During the first year, water your hops deeply two or three times a week to help the rhizome establish a massive root structure. Once mature, Chinook is quite resilient, but inconsistent watering during the heat of summer will cause the lower leaves to yellow and reduce the essential oils in the hops. Aim for deep soakings at the base of the plant rather than overhead misting to keep the foliage dry and disease-free.

Pruning Tips

Hops grow on new wood produced each spring from the perennial crown. In early spring, select the strongest 3 to 5 bines to train up your trellis and cut the smaller, weaker shoots to the ground to funnel all the energy into the main climbers. After the autumn harvest, wait for the foliage to die back naturally before cutting the entire plant down to 6 inches above the soil line to prepare for winter dormancy.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow-release 10-10-10 fertilizer in early spring as soon as the first shoots emerge from the soil. Avoid heavy nitrogen applications after mid-July because it encourages excessive leaf growth at the expense of the hop cones you want to harvest. Think of late-season nitrogen like a shot of caffeine that keeps the plant awake when it should be focusing on maturing its fruit.

Delivery and Shipping

Preorder Shipping Schedule

We ship your plants when it's safe to transport them to your zone. Dates are estimated and subject to weather delays.

Zone 3-4	Week of March 30th
Zone 5	Week of March 16th
Zone 6-12	Week of March 2nd

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Complex Bitter Flavor, Robust Chinook Hops

Late Season
Bittering Hop
Can Also Be Used for Aroma
Compact Cones Feature Dark Yellow Lupulin
High Alpha Acid Content
Versatile
Dual Purpose Hops for American Style Craft Beer
Bine Performs Well in Hot, Dry Areas
Disease Resistant
USDA Introduction

Grow your own Chinook Hops (Humulus lupulus 'Chinook') for a hearty boost of up to 14% alpha acid. Use it to prepare exceptional home brewed American Pale Ales, Stout, IPA, Porter, Brown and even Amber.

No one can ignore the power of Chinook. People use it by itself as both bittering and flavor type, and Chinook is often blended with finishing hop varieties or as a dry hop.

Pine resin, citrus, herb and smoke flavors combine in this modern hop. Known as a super alpha, Chinook Hops truly take your recipe to the next level.

Harvest sticky, compact cones late in the season. Released in 1985 by the USDA breeding program, Chinook Hop is a healthy perennial bine that comes back year after year.

Tightly-packed clusters of cones decorate this beautiful long plant. Get used to compliments and questions about Chinook as it also delivers large-scale ornamental value.

Home brewmasters across the United States are filled with passion for this exciting hobby. Add homegrown Hops to your brews for a fantastic lift.

Hobby farms can sell online or to local microbreweries. Chinook Hops are very popular and our expertly grown inventory will go quickly.

Order today and we'll ship when the time is right for planting in your area. Track the shipment from our fields right to your doorstep.

How to Use Chinook Hops in the Landscape

Hops grow very tall, and require plenty of sunshine and air circulation. They grow trained up on a sturdy trellis or a system of poles and twine.

Create orchard rows to go into full production. Or, keep things effective on small space gardens with a hedgerow spaced at least 40 inches apart on center.

This narrow vertical treatment also creates visual screens. Could you think of a place or two on your property you'd like to have more privacy?

Hide an old shed, or use in sunny side yards. In a funky neighborhood, you could even carve out a private spot to enjoy in your front yard...akin to a Mediterranean-style courtyard.

Hop trellis also casts useful shade during the heat of summer. Why not plant a row of Chinook Hops on the south side of your outdoor kitchen?

You'll gain an instant conversation starter, too. People are curious about this plant and the process of brewing!

Set tall poles in concrete footings and string twine from the top down to a ground level stake. Maximize space by growing plants up on three sides of each pole in a pyramid.

Consider this plant as a garden feature. Fragrant flowers add to the ornamental appeal, and the hardscape adds year-round structure.

Carefully plan out your Hops in a creative way to maximize space for your family and friends. You'll feel so proud to harvest your own fresh hops.

These days, people crave this kind of personal closeness to their food and drink. Chinook Hops help deliver an incredible "ground to glass" experience.

Even if you're not a beer craftsman, you'll still enjoy growing Chinook Hops. Let it scramble up a gazebo or pergola or along a fence for beautiful and quick coverage.

On larger properties, intersperse Hop bines with Grape vines. Add to an Edible Landscape as part of a greater goal to boost your food security.

#ProPlantTips for Care

Because late-season Chinook Hops are high in alpha acids, work quickly to harvest, dry and bag them for cold storage. Hops are ripe once the sticky cones spring back after a gentle squeeze.

Plant them in at least six hours of direct sunlight a day. The roots won't tolerate wet soil for long, so ensure they get a well-drained planting site.

Give a moderate amount of water on a regular basis. Cover the base of the plant with mulch to keep the temperature low.

Each year, encircle the young plants clockwise around the trellis. Look after your Hops bines for best results.

Although Chinook is generally disease resistant, some like to add a schedule of protective early treatments. In addition, some Hops growers like to remove the lower leaves at ground level once the plant is 10 feet tall to increase air flow at ground level.

Join the growing, vocal Fan Club of Chinook Hops. Order yours today...but please hurry as we will sell out quickly!

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Growing Zones 4-9

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Frequently Asked Questions

What USDA planting zones are suitable for growing Chinook hops?

Chinook hops thrive in USDA zones 3-8, with exceptional performance in hot, dry climates. This disease-resistant perennial bine tolerates temperature extremes better than many hop varieties. Plant in full sun with strong trellis support for optimal cone production.

Is Chinook hops hardy in cold climates like zones 4 or 5?

Chinook hops are cold hardy perennials that return year after year in zones 3-8. This USDA-developed variety tolerates harsh winters well, dying back to the ground and reemerging each spring. Plant yours from quality stock available at naturehills.com for reliable cold climate performance.

Do Chinook hops require a trellis or support structure, and how high?

Yes, Chinook hops require a sturdy trellis or pole-and-twine system since they grow very tall as climbing bines. These vigorous perennials need strong vertical support with plenty of sunshine and air circulation. Space plants at least 40 inches apart and install your support structure before planting.

What shipping methods do you use for live Chinook hop rhizomes?

We ship Chinook hop rhizomes at the optimal planting time for your specific growing zone. Live rhizomes are carefully packaged and tracked from our fields directly to your door. Order now and we'll automatically schedule shipment when conditions are right for successful establishment in your area.

What fertilizers or pruning is needed for healthy Chinook hops?

Chinook hops benefit from balanced fertilizer in early spring and require annual pruning to 2-3 feet in late winter. These vigorous perennial bines need sturdy trellising due to their tall growth habit. Prune old growth each dormant season and feed when new shoots emerge for best cone production available at naturehills.com.