Plant Profile: Popcorn Plant
Smells are powerful, and the scent of popcorn plant (Senna didymobotrya) will bring you right back to the movie theaters of your childhood. This plant, which is also called cassia, smells so much like buttered popcorn that you’ll swear it is a relative of corn.
The blooms of popcorn plant look a bit like popcorn but the scent comes from the leaves.
It’s not, though. Popcorn plant is a member of the legume family and is native to tropical sections of Africa. For northern gardeners, this is an unusual and fun annual plant, and is especially popular with children. The scent emanates not from the blooms, but from the leaves, which run in pairs up and down the branches. Leaves can be up to 3 inches long with a dozen or more pairs along each branch. To bring out the popcorn smell, just run your fingers along the leaves and then smell them. If the smell is not enough, the blooms of the plant look like unusual popcorn ears and each bright yellow bud resembles popped corn.
In its native habitat, popcorn plant is a shrub, growing 10 to 25 feet tall. Here, it will typically stay between 2 and 3 feet tall after a season of growing with the blooms rising tall and straight above the leaves. Popcorn plant grows well in containers, and while it is not difficult to grow, it has its demands. The plant loves hot, humid weather (it comes from the tropics, so that makes sense) and it likes lots of sun, water and fertilizer. If you grow it in a container, plan to water daily and fertilize on a regular schedule for best growth. Popcorn plant typically flowers in late summer into fall.
Some gardeners bring plants indoors for winter, storing them in greenhouses to get them through to next spring. While it can be grown from seed, most home gardeners buy it as a start in the spring and treat popcorn plant as an annual.
One important thing to remember: Popcorn plant is poisonous. So, if you have pets who nibble on plants or small children, this might be a plant to avoid.
Have you ever grown popcorn plant?
The leaves of popcorn plant have an intriguing shape and they smell just like popcorn.
Yes. I have grown them for years.. I always worry that Bachman’s will not have them..love that plant so does everyone that comes to my garden. I live near Lake Nokomis ..they grow well for me
Hi meem, no worries . .u can order the seeds online. I did:)
I just planted two popcorn Cassia plants today, between the Datura in the back of my Eagan garden. Our deer and bunnies will know better than to visit.
can I grow this in St Paul MN
Yes, you can. We grow it at the Minnesota State Fair. It’s beautiful in late summer.
My container popcorn plant has black spots on the leaves. I’ve treated with neem oil and prune leaves but it’s still getting black spots! Help! In N.C.
Do you cut off the stem of flowers after the are done flowering
Do I cut the blooms out to make new blooms?
Yes, you can do that.
My plant has branches without leaves. Can I cut them off? It’s 3’ tall. I read to bring it in in the winter, I should cut it back to 1/2 it’s height. Has anyone ever done this?
Yes, you can cut off branches without leaves. I’ve never heard of people overwintering popcorn plant, but it’s worth a try.
I read that it is invasive in some states. What about Oklahoma?
Popcorn plant has been somewhat invasive in Africa, which is its native range. It’s classified as a USDA Zone 9 plant, so it would be considered an annual in Oklahoma. Thanks for commenting!
It is now Sept and the popcorn plant never bloomed but is 5ft tall, plenty of sun and water. Any ideas why no blooms.
I’m not sure why it would not bloom. This summer has been cooler and much wetter than normal. Because it’s a tropical plant, I don’t think the wetness bothers popcorn plant, but the relatively cool temperatures might. Luckily, the scent (my favorite part of the plant) is on the leaves.
I’m from the Rapid City, SD area and this was my first year of growing a popcorn plant. Mine didn’t bloom either, but enjoyed the smell, also my neighbors.
I just brought in my popcorn plant ( first time owner). I understand that It is poisonous. I have a cat that likes to “check” out plants. How do protect her from the plant
I just found out about the plant being poisonous by reading your website. The tag and sell didn’t say the seller didn’t know. I have several other plants including a Bonsi plant (tea tree ) which she checked out now leaves alone. But I am still concerned!
I bought a couple of these plants and had a great experience in pots over the summer. One very interesting thing happened – quite a few times I had female orioles on my deck picking on the brown flower pods….I’m not sure why and hope it’s not poisonous for them ? It was fun to watch but not sure what the attraction was…. there was no seed for them..? I live in ND, bought these plants at Bachman’s and will try to overwinter them just for fun!
There should be seeds in the pods. I don’t think the plant is poisonous to birds. Here’s a nice profile of it: http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/wi/print/popcorn_cassia/