How to Grow Popcorn in Australia
A warm-season fruiting crop for the home garden
Growing your own Popcorn is one of the more satisfying things you can do in an Australian backyard. It is rated beginner to grow. Saves buying popcorn forever. One harvest provides a year of movie nights.
This guide covers when to plant Popcorn in your region, the position and soil it likes, how to sow and space it, day-to-day care, the pests and diseases to watch, and how to harvest and store your crop.
When to Plant in Your Region
Popcorn is a warm-season crop, frost-tender and needs a frost-free run. In subtropical South-East Queensland it is sown in September, October, November and December. Timing shifts with your climate, so choose your region below for a local calendar.
Varieties to Try
Strawberry Popcorn
Small, fat, deep-red cobs. Ornamental and edible. Pops well. A garden favourite with kids.
Try: Eden Seeds, Mr Fothergill's, Diggers
Tom Thumb
Dwarf variety at 1m tall. Yellow kernels, excellent popping. Good for smaller gardens.
Try: Eden Seeds, Diggers
Position and Soil
Give Popcorn full sun (at least 6 hours a day). It does best in free-draining soil with a pH around 5.8 to 7. Dig through plenty of compost before planting, and mulch to hold moisture and keep weeds down. It can be container-grown in 40cm+ (need multiple plants), though it is happier in the ground.
Sowing and Spacing
Sow seed about 3 cm deep. Thin or space plants to about 30 cm apart. Seedlings usually appear in around 8 days, fastest when the soil is between 18 and 30 degrees.
Zea mays var. everta. A different variety from sweet corn. Kernels have a hard outer shell that makes them pop. Leave cobs on the stalk until fully dry and hard, then harvest. Needs a block of at least 16 plants for wind pollination. Kids love growing this.
Care
Water consistently, roughly 6 L per plant every 3 days in warm weather, less in cool or wet spells. Feed every few weeks through the growing season with a balanced organic fertiliser, and keep mulch topped up.
Pests and Diseases
Keep an eye out for Corn earworm and Birds. The main diseases to watch are Rust and Smut. Good spacing, watering at the base rather than over the leaves, and crop rotation prevent most problems. See our Pest and Disease Guide to identify and fix any issue.
Harvesting and Storage
Popcorn is typically ready to harvest in around 120 days (about 4 months). Dry cobs fully on the stalk. Store kernels in a sealed jar for 2+ years.
In the Kitchen
In the kitchen, popcorn is good popped on the stove or in a machine, ground into cornmeal, ornamental dried cobs as decoration and kernels stored for year-round popping. Nutritionally: whole grain, high in fibre and good source of polyphenol antioxidants.
Companion Planting
Popcorn grows well alongside Beans, Pumpkin and Lettuce. Keep it away from Tomato. Our Companion Planting Guide has the full pairings.
Track Your Popcorn Growing
Add popcorn to your garden in the Planting Season app and get reminders for planting, care and harvest, tuned to your region.
Open the App →Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Popcorn in Australia?
Popcorn is a warm-season crop. In subtropical regions like South-East Queensland it is sown in September, October, November and December. Timing changes with your climate, so use the calendar above for your region.
How long does Popcorn take to grow?
Popcorn is generally ready to harvest in around 120 days (about 4 months).
How much sun does Popcorn need?
Give it full sun (at least 6 hours a day) for the healthiest growth and best harvest.
See also: Popcorn in the Plant Library
