Popcorn Seeds

Grow a movie-night favorite from the garden with Popcorn Seeds from David's Garden Seeds®. This collection features South American Popcorn, an heirloom variety with yellow kernels grown for popping after harvest and proper drying. Enjoy the journey from tall summer stalks to a bowl of homegrown popcorn.

A Popcorn Memory from David

The smell of popcorn brings back memories of Friday night football. I can remember the smell floating across the field while we did our warm up exercises.

What Makes Popcorn Pop?

Popcorn is a special type of corn with a hard outer hull. When a properly conditioned kernel is heated, moisture inside turns to steam and builds pressure until the hull bursts and the interior expands. Kernel condition and moisture affect popping performance, so harvesting mature ears and drying them appropriately are important parts of the process.

Why Grow South American Popcorn?

• A garden-to-kitchen project: Follow the crop from seed to mature ears, then prepare your harvested kernels for popping.
• Heirloom variety: South American Popcorn is an open-pollinated selection. Saving true-to-type seed requires appropriate isolation from compatible corn.
• Yellow-kernel harvest: Grow ears of golden kernels for a different use than fresh sweet corn.
• A seasonal family activity: Shell dried ears and try your harvest with favorite popcorn seasonings.

Planting Tips for Success

• Choose a warm-season window: Direct sow after frost danger has passed and soil has warmed. Allow enough time for the variety to mature before cold weather.
• Plant in blocks: Corn is wind-pollinated. A block of several short rows generally supports pollination better than one long isolated row.
• Plan corn isolation: Other corn flowering nearby can cross-pollinate. Follow local guidance for separation by distance or flowering time, especially if saving seed or growing sweet corn nearby.
• Provide sun and space: Choose full sun and follow the product's sowing depth, thinning and row-spacing directions.
• Maintain moisture: Water consistently without saturating the soil, particularly during tasseling, silking and ear development.
• Feed according to soil needs: Corn benefits from suitable fertility. Follow soil-test recommendations and fertilizer label directions.
• Monitor plants: Keep weeds controlled and watch for pests, damaged ears and signs of disease throughout the season.

Harvesting, Drying and Popping

Unlike sweet corn, popcorn is harvested after kernels mature and harden. Let ears dry on healthy stalks when conditions allow, then finish drying in a protected, well-ventilated place if needed. Do not leave ears exposed to prolonged wet weather or use moldy kernels.

Test a small batch before shelling the entire harvest. Poor popping can mean the kernels are not yet suitably conditioned; drying too far can also reduce performance. Follow reliable popcorn-specific drying and storage guidance rather than assuming the driest possible kernels will pop best. Store clean, properly conditioned harvested kernels in suitable containers away from pests and moisture.

Enjoy Your Homegrown Popcorn

• Stovetop: Pop harvested kernels in a suitable covered pot using a reliable recipe and safe heat control.
• Try clarified butter: For delicious, rich buttery flavor, pop your harvested kernels in clarified butter instead of oil. Finish with a little salt and enjoy a homegrown treat worth sharing.
• Air popper: Follow the appliance instructions for kernel quantity and operation.
• Simple seasonings: Try butter and salt, herbs or your favorite spice blend after popping.
• Keep planting and food supplies separate: The packets sold here contain planting seeds, not ready-to-eat popping corn. Cooking suggestions apply only to the suitable crop you harvest.

Why Choose David's Garden Seeds®?

• Veteran-Owned: Supplying premium seeds since 2009.
• GO TEXAN Certified: Supporting local agriculture and communities.
• Integrity Pledge: David's Garden Seeds has taken the Seed Integrity Pledge.
• Vegetable Seed License: David's Garden Seeds has been granted a Vegetable Seed License for the State of Texas.

Order Popcorn Seeds Today

Plant a warm-season crop and look forward to your own homegrown popcorn harvest.

See the product below for current availability, seed count, maturity information and specific planting instructions. Yield and popping results vary with growing conditions, harvest timing and kernel conditioning.

Grow something beautiful. Grow something delicious. Grow with David's Garden Seeds®.