Popcorn
Zea mays var. everta 'Japanese Hulless'
vegetablePopcorn (Zea mays var. everta) is a special type of corn whose small, hard kernels contain just enough moisture inside a strong hull that, when heated, the moisture flashes to steam and bursts the kernel inside out. Japanese Hulless is a classic home variety with small ears and tender, nearly hull-free popped corn. It is grown exactly like sweet corn but is left on the plant far longer, until the kernels are fully hard and dry. Plants reach about 4 to 5 ft tall. Because all corn is wind-pollinated, popcorn must be grown in a block of several short rows for the ears to fill.
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Sun
full sun
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Water
Every 5 days
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Harvest
~110 days
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Difficulty
easy
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Lifecycle
annual
One season, then done
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Spacing
8 in apart in rows 18-24 in apart, in a block
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Planting Depth
1 in deep in heavy soil, up to 2 in in sandy soil
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Soil pH
5.8-7.0
Growing Details
Soil Type
Rich, well-drained loam
Hardiness Zones
Zones 3 – 11
Grown as an annual — this range is its winter hardiness, but you can grow it for a single season in any zone.
When to Fertilize
Side-dress with nitrogen when plants are about 1 ft tall
Fertilizer
High-nitrogen fertilizer; corn is a heavy feeder
🌱 Growing Guide
Grow popcorn in full sun in rich, well-drained soil with a pH of about 5.8 to 7.0. Sow seed 1 in deep in heavier soil and up to 2 in deep in sandy soil once soil temperatures reach about 60 F, spacing seeds 8 in apart in rows 18 to 24 in apart, and always plant at least four short rows side by side rather than one long row so wind pollination fills the ears. Give about 1 to 1.5 in of water per week, especially during tasseling and ear fill, and side-dress with nitrogen when plants are about a foot tall. To keep kernels true, isolate popcorn from sweet corn by about 300 ft or by staggering planting by about three weeks. Most varieties need 100 to 120 days to mature.
Planting Calendar
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Direct sow
Apr 22
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Projected first harvest
Aug 10
JJan
FFeb
MMar
AApr
MMay
JJun
JJul
AAug
SSep
OOct
NNov
DDec
✅ Plant alongside
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
- Bean — A nitrogen-fixing classic Three Sisters partner that climbs the stalks
- Squash — Sprawling vines shade the soil, conserve moisture, and suppress weeds
- Cucumber — Ground-covering vines act like squash to mulch the corn root zone
❌ Keep away from
Tomato
🛡️ Pest & disease prevention
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
Larvae feed in the ear tip; a few drops of mineral oil on the silk or timely Bt help, and tip damage can simply be trimmed
Bores into stalks and ears; clean up and destroy old stalks at season end and rotate planting sites
A fungus making gray galls; remove and destroy galls before they burst and avoid wounding plants
Strip ripening ears overnight; use fencing or harvest promptly as ears mature
🌾 Harvest & storage
Unlike sweet corn, popcorn is left on the plant until the husks are brown and dry and the kernels are hard and glossy, usually well into fall. Pick the ears, pull back the husks, and cure them in a warm, dry, airy place for several weeks until a test handful pops well. Twist the dried kernels off the cob and store them airtight; the ideal kernel moisture for popping is about 13 to 14 percent.
🥗 Nutrition & benefits
Popcorn is a whole grain, high in fiber and complex carbohydrates with some protein, and is naturally low in fat when air-popped. It is eaten popped as a wholesome snack.
For educational and informational purposes only — HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.