American Hophornbeam

About American Hophornbeam

Eastern hop-hornbeam is a deciduous tree in the Betulaceae (beech) family. It is found in dry, rocky forests and sloped areas scattered among the upland and mountains. It's a slow-growing tree, reaching only 10 to 15 feet tall over 15 years. The leaves look similar to birch trees and the overall form can be confused with an elm tree.

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Ostrya virginiana

Genus

Ostrya

Family

Betulaceae

Order

Fagales

Also known as

American hophornbeam, eastern hophornbeam, hardhack, ironwood and leverwood

How to care for American Hophornbeam

💦 Water

How often to water your American Hophornbeam

American Hophornbeam needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for American Hophornbeam in your home

American Hophornbeam love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

American Hophornbeam does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of American Hophornbeam in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize American Hophornbeam

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for American Hophornbeam: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your American Hophornbeam after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

American Hophornbeam is generally considered an easy-to-care-for plant and makes a great choice for beginners!

How to Grow American Hophornbeam →

Benefits of Growing American Hophornbeam →

Common American Hophornbeam Problems →

Outdoor Care Guide for American Hophornbeam →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

American Hophornbeam requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

American Hophornbeam Light Requirements →

American Hophornbeam Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

American Hophornbeam is not known to cause harm to humans or pets. Regardless, if you, a family member, a cat, or dog has ingested any plant material, please consult a doctor or a veterinarian.

Is American Hophornbeam Edible? →

American Hophornbeam Toxicity to Cats →

American Hophornbeam Toxicity to Dogs →

American Hophornbeam Toxicity to Humans →

🪴 Soil

American Hophornbeam does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

Best Soil Mix for American Hophornbeam →

Best Pots for American Hophornbeam →

When and How to Successfully Repot American Hophornbeam →

What Are Healthy American Hophornbeam Roots →

💩 Fertilizer

American Hophornbeam grows very slowly and doesn’t require added fertilizer. Replacing your plant’s potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

How Much and When to Fertilize American Hophornbeam →

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

American Hophornbeam will branch off as it grows. To encourage branching, pinch off the newest growth at the tip and the stem will branch off into two.

American Hophornbeam Lifecycle →

American Hophornbeam Size Guide →

How and When to Prune American Hophornbeam →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
American Hophornbeam can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 3a-9a. Find your local hardiness zone here.

American Hophornbeam Temperature Tolerance →

American Hophornbeam Hardiness Zones →

Landscaping Ideas with American Hophornbeam →

When to Plant American Hophornbeam →

How to Plant American Hophornbeam →

Where to Plant American Hophornbeam →

Winter Care for American Hophornbeam →

Best Companion Plants for American Hophornbeam →

Is American Hophornbeam a Weed? →

🌱 Propagation

The seeds of American Hophornbeam can be used to grow new plants! After your plant flowers, any seeds that formed can be collected and germinated in potting soil.

How to Propagate American Hophornbeam →

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.