We proudly research, grow, and write about our plants by hand. Descriptions are based on our experience as well as information gathered from reputable sources: books, periodicals, and select websites. Should you have questions beyond what is listed please email or call.

  • A close-up of the Datisca cannabina plant, also known as a hops plant, with green leaves and yellow flowers.
  • A close up of the green foliage of Datisca cannabina, commonly known as false hemp.
  • A full image of the green foliage of Datisca cannabina, commonly known as false hemp.
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A close-up of the Datisca cannabina plant, also known as a hops plant, with green leaves and yellow flowers.
A close up of the green foliage of Datisca cannabina, commonly known as false hemp.
A full image of the green foliage of Datisca cannabina, commonly known as false hemp.

Datisca cannabina | false hemp

$8.99
$8.99
Shipping calculated at checkout.

Grown from seed in living soil without the use of pesticides, chemicals, or carbon fuels.

ships spring 2026

False hemp (Datisca cannabina) is a fabulous textural plant with arching foliage, long dangling seedpods (on female plants) and stems that tower at heights up to eight feet. This Mediterranean native is happiest on moist but well-drained, fertile soil in full sun. The heavily dissected leaves can be used to produce a yellow dye.

We are delighted to finally be able to offer this plant - after three years of trying, we finally got a batch of seeds to germinate successfully! Surface sowing in early June seemed to provide the necessary heat and yielded excellent results with near 100% germination within just a few weeks. 

PLEASE NOTE: This plant is NOT cannabis (Cannabis sativa), nor is it related to it. The specific epithet cannabina means "hemp-like" and refers only to the shape of the leaves.

Zones: 5 to 8
Family: Datiscaceae
Type: Herbaceous Perennial
Height: 72 to 96 in.
Spread: 36 to 48 in.
Exposure: full sun 
Soil: fertile, average, well-drained
Bloom Time: June to November
Common Names: false hemp, bastard hemp, Cretan hemp, acalbir
Native Range: Aegean Islands, Crete, Cyprus, Anatolia, the Levant, the Transcaucasus, Iraq, Iran, Central Asia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, the western Himalayas and Nepal

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image credits

Kristine Paulus from New York, United States, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
peganum from Small Dole, England, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A close-up of the Datisca cannabina plant, also known as a hops plant, with green leaves and yellow flowers.
A close up of the green foliage of Datisca cannabina, commonly known as false hemp.
A full image of the green foliage of Datisca cannabina, commonly known as false hemp.

Ordering information

Preorders

You may place your order anytime to reserve plants for fall 2026 shipping. If you place multiple orders, we will combine plants into one box (or as many as needed) and any extra shipping charges will be refunded.

We will resume shipping as soon as temperatures cool in our location and yours. This can range from the beginning of September for northern locations to the end of October for hot locations (Texas). 

We will check in with you a week before shipping to make sure you receive your plants at a time that is convenient for you.

Shipping

Live plants ship in spring and fall only. Plants may ship dormant, depending on variety and season. Shipping costs are most reasonable when bundling like size plants.

  • 4-inch: 1-6 plants ship for $15.00 / 7-13 plants ship for $18.00 / 14-30 plants ship for $40.00
  • 1-gal: 1-2 plants ship for $18.00 / 3-4 plants ship for $25.00 / 5-6 plants ship for $40.00
  • trees & shrubs: $27.00-$40.00 each, height dependent
  • seeds: $6.75 or free with orders over $15.00

We regret that we cannot ship internationally or to the following states: AK, AZ, CA, CO, FL, HI, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, or WA.

Read more about our shipping policies here.

Nursery pick up

We will email you to schedule a day and time to collect your plants when they are ready in spring. Generally, plants can be collected from the nursery Monday through Sunday from 10am-4pm in Spring, Summer, and Fall.

Plant Sizes

We most commonly use the following pot sizes for perennials:

  • 4-inch pot: 3.5" H x 3.5" W x 3.5" D
  • 2-quart pot: 6" H x 5.25" W x 5.25" D
  • 1-gallon pot: 6.87" H x 8" Dia (this is a true one gallon pot, not the smaller 'trade' one gallon pot used by many nurseries)

Check out our illustrated pot size guide here.

Representative trees & shrubs are photographed in their pots and posted on each plant page.

Sustainability

Sustainability is at the heart of what we do at The Old Dairy. We grow all of our plants outdoors without the use of chemicals, fertilizers, carbon fuels, or peat.

Many of our perennials are grown in the ground and dug upon order (this is especially true for larger sizes). This practice allows us to grow stronger, healthier plants using native soil, and ultimately reduces our impact on the environment.

Our open-pollinated seeds are collected from plants in our mother beds, which have never been treated with chemicals or sprays of any kind.

Read all about our sustainable practices here.

See all in this genus

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view this plant in our garden

Datisca cannabina | false hemp |

seedling image

Datisca cannabina | false hemp

We are slowly creating a seedling image library to help make weeding easier.
garden location coming soongarden location coming soon
 
garden location coming soongarden location coming soon