Annual vegetable
Popcorn plant profile
Zea mays var. everta
An annual vegetable for full sun.
Last updated .
When to plant
When to plant Popcorn
Popcorn is a warm-season crop that must be direct seeded. Plant after the soil has warmed; seeds germinate best when soil temperatures are close to 60 degrees F (University of Minnesota).
The calendar shows this cited seasonal window as an approximate band. It does not convert the season into frost-adjusted dates.
Open Popcorn in my garden calendarShows the source-backed planting season, not frost-adjusted dates.
Growing conditions
- Sun
- Full sun
- Water
- 1 in / week
- Planting depth
- 1 in
- Soil pH
- 5.8 to 7
- Lifecycle
- Annual
- Spacing
- 8 in apart, rows 18 in
- Days to maturity
- 90 to 120 days (from sowing)
Common problems
Watch for these
Also watch for: european corn borer, corn smut.
Evidence trail
Evidence behind this profile
Original extension and institutional publications behind the planting, care, and safety facts on this page.
- Growing popcorn in home gardens
University of Minnesota Extension. Supports general reference. Checked 2026-06-18.