Ornamental
Strawberry Popcorn is a compact popcorn variety that brings whimsy and genuine flavor to the garden. Named for its deep red kernels that resemble tiny strawberries, this corn produces full-sized ears on surprisingly space-efficient plants, reaching harvest in just 100 to 105 days. Hardy across zones 2 through 12, it thrives in full sun with moderate water and adapts to most gardeners' soil conditions. The real draw is watching those crimson kernels pop into billowing white flakes, a striking visual that makes this heirloom feel like it belongs in both the ornamental and productive garden.
Full Sun
Moderate
2-12
?in H x ?in W
Annual
Moderate
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Those deep red kernels are the first thing you'll notice, clustering on compact plants that pack full popcorn production into a small footprint. Unlike tall field corn varieties, Strawberry Popcorn stays manageable at 24-inch spacing, making it genuinely feasible for home and container gardeners. The kernels pop bright white, creating a memorable contrast that makes popping day feel like a small celebration.
Strawberry Popcorn is grown for popping, producing the crisp, fluffy snack that emerges bright white from the deep red kernels. The visual drama of the kernel color makes it equally appealing for fall decoration and craft projects before popping.
Not recommended; Strawberry Popcorn has roots sensitive to transplanting. If you must start indoors, keep seedlings less than 2 weeks old before transplanting, as older transplants will struggle to establish.
If transplanting seedlings started indoors, do so when they are less than 2 weeks old, after your last average frost date when soil temperature is at least 60°F.
Direct sow 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date, when soil temperature reaches at least 60°F, ideally 65 to 90°F. Sow seeds 1 to 1.5 inches deep, spacing seeds 12 inches apart initially.
Allow ears to fully mature on the stalk, drying completely in the field until the husks become papery and the kernels are hard and glossy. Harvest 100 to 105 days after planting. Strip ears from the plant, remove husks, and spread kernels on a screen in a warm, dry location for 2 to 4 weeks until they snap cleanly and are ready for popping.
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