How to Grow Centennial Hop

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Centennial Hop

Humulus lupulus 'Centennial'

vine

Centennial is a high-alpha hop variety prized for brewing bitter and hoppy beers. It produces dense cones with a distinctive herbal, citrus, and floral aroma profile. This vigorous perennial vine has become one of the most widely cultivated hop varieties worldwide.

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Example Centennial Hop timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Centennial Hop
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Centennial Hop
Late summer into fall

Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Centennial Hop dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️

Sun: Full sun, 8+ hours daily; more sun exposure increases cone density and alpha acid content

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Water: Deep, consistent watering; hops require 1.5-2 inches per week during growing season; drought-tolerant once established but prefer consistent moisture

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Spacing: 24-36 inches between plants; rows should be 4-6 feet apart inches

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Days to maturity: 140-160 days from emergence to cone harvest in year 2+

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Planting depth: Plant rhizomes 2-3 inches deep; transplants at soil level

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil with good organic matter

pH: 6.0-7.0

Amendments:

Compost aged manure perlite or sand for drainage sulfur if pH too high

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Zones 3-8; thrives in cool to moderate climates with significant winter chill

3a 3b 4a 4b 4c 5a 5b 5c 6a 6b 6c 7a 7b 8a

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Growth Stages

Establishment (Year 1)

Full season

First-year plants produce vigorous vining growth but rarely flower. Plants develop strong root systems and may reach 4-6 feet tall.

Allow plants to grow without harvesting. Remove any flower buds to encourage root development. Provide sturdy trellis or twine system reaching at least 8-10 feet.

Spring Growth (Year 2+)

4-6 weeks

Rapid emergence of new bines from crowns in spring; shoots reach 8-12 inches within weeks, developing leaves and lateral branches.

Train 1-3 primary bines up trellis system. Remove weak or diseased bines at base. Fertilize with balanced NPK and nitrogen-rich amendments as growth accelerates.

Vegetative Growth (June-July)

6-8 weeks

Vigorous vertical growth with dense foliage. Bines reach 15-20+ feet. Lateral shoots develop from main bines.

Continue training laterals along support wires. Maintain consistent moisture. Monitor for pests and diseases. Apply nitrogen-rich fertilizer mid-season.

Flowering & Cone Development (July-August)

3-5 weeks

Flower buds appear on lateral shoots and develop into papery, light green cones. Cones enlarge and fill out with lupulin glands (yellow powder), becoming aromatic.

Reduce nitrogen fertilization; switch to balanced or phosphorus-rich formula. Maintain even watering. Inspect cones for pest damage. Cones feel dry and slightly sticky when mature.

Harvest & Dormancy (August-September)

2-4 weeks

Mature cones dry down with crisp, papery feel and concentrated lupulin aroma. Plants senesce as days shorten and cones reach peak quality.

Harvest when cones feel dry and are golden-green, with visible lupulin. Cut bines and dry cones immediately. Cut back vines to 4-6 inches above crown after harvest. Clean up debris to reduce overwintering pests.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Beans Peas Cucumber Chives Nasturtium

Avoid planting near:

Tomatoes Fennel Potatoes Cole crops (in competition for nutrients)

Common Pests

Strong water spray to dislodge; insecticidal soap; neem oil; encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs; avoid excessive nitrogen
Regular misting to maintain humidity; sulfur dust; neem oil; predatory mites; increase air circulation
Hand-pick beetles in early morning; use pheromone traps away from plants; neem oil; milky spore for larvae in soil
Row covers on young plants; insecticidal soap; neem oil; remove leaf debris; encourage parasitic wasps
Improve air circulation; sulfur powder or dust; potassium bicarbonate spray; avoid overhead watering; remove affected foliage
Remove infected tissue; copper fungicide; improve drainage; avoid overcrowding; resistant varieties

Uses

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Beer Brewing - Bittering & Aroma

Culinary

Centennial is a dual-purpose hop with 8-12% alpha acids, making it excellent for bittering. It also provides distinctive herbal, floral, and citrus aromatics in IPAs, pale ales, and hoppy wheat beers. [source]

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Herbal Tea & Infusions

Culinary

Fresh or dried hop cones can be steeped into calming tea with mild sedative properties. Often blended with other calming herbs. [source]

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Sleep & Relaxation Support

Medicinal

Hops contain humulone and lupuline compounds with traditional use as a mild sedative and anxiolytic. Often used in herbal sleep supplements. [source]

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Pillow Stuffing & Traditional Sleep Aid

Household

Dried hop cones have been traditionally used to fill pillows, with their aroma promoting relaxation and better sleep quality. [source]

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Wreaths, Arrangements & Décor

Craft

Attractive dried hop cones are used in fall floral arrangements, garlands, and decorative wreaths for rustic or harvest-themed décor. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Harvest in late August to early September when cones feel papery-dry, are golden-green, and have strong aroma. The lupulin glands should be bright yellow and sticky. Pick individual cones or cut entire lateral branches. Dry immediately in a dehydrator (140-160°F) or well-ventilated area for 24-48 hours until moisture content is 8-10%. Store in vacuum-sealed bags in cool, dark conditions; alpha acids degrade with heat and light exposure.

Fun Facts

🌱 Centennial hops were developed in the 1970s at the USDA Agricultural Research Service in Corvallis, Oregon, and released to celebrate the United States Bicentennial—hence the name.
🌱 Hop plants are dioecious (separate male and female plants), but only the unfertilized female flower cones (strobiles) are used in brewing; males are considered undesirable for hop cultivation.
🌱 Hops are perennial plants that can remain productive for 15-20+ years, making them a long-term investment for brewing enthusiasts; established plants produce increasingly abundant cones each year.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Amendment Crown Full Sun Perennial pH Trellis

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