Climate matters. This page is a practical baseline. Confirm cultivar, local frost/heat conditions, mature size and regional restrictions before planting.
Popcorn — Growing reference
| Scientific name | Zea mays var. everta |
|---|---|
| Seed germination (days) | 5–10 |
| Soil temperature for germination (°C) | 15.6–35 |
| First harvest or flowering (days) | 90–110 |
| Measured from | Seed |
| Plant spacing (cm) | 22.9–30.5 |
| Mature height (cm) | 121.9–182.9 |
| Mature spread (cm) | 30.5–45.7 |
| USDA hardiness zones | 3–11 |
| Light | Full sun |
| Water | Moderate |
| Sowing method | Direct sow |
Growing directions
Sow seeds 1–2 inches deep in blocks of at least 4 rows for proper wind pollination, isolating from sweet corn to prevent cross-pollination that ruins eating quality. Side-dress with nitrogen at knee-height and again when tassels appear. Leave ears on the stalk past eating stage until husks are completely brown and papery; pull husks back and hang ears in a dry, ventilated spot for 4–6 weeks until kernels release from the cob easily. Kernels are ready to pop when moisture content drops to around 14%.
Source and local conditions
Typical planning ranges from OpenPlantDB (CC0). Cultivar, climate, season and growing method can change these values. Confirm the seed label and local guidance before planting.
Source & verification
OpenPlantDB · CC0