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.
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?
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:)
Hi Beth where can I order seeds? I have been on the search for a popcorn plant.
I have two Boston terrier’s and young grandchildren. I just read that these plants are poisonous. Is the reaction serious for dogs and children. I just bought one to put in a container on my balcony??
Me too! Love them!
So it’s not for outdoors in northern michigan
It should do fine as an annual in summer, but no, won’t survive winter outdoors there.
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.
I live in Ohio if I plant outside how well will it likelycome.up every year?
It’s hardy in zones 9, 10 and 11 — so the far south. It’s an annual here in Minnesota and probably in your area as well.
I have one in a pot and I’m in Ohio. Ours is about 10 feet tall , seriously!
Wow, 10 feet?! What’s your secret?
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 plant is beautiful and flowering but I’m losing stems and leaves near bottom of greenery. Should I still be watering daily indoors?
Hi Mary
I’m new to popcorn plants. I kept mine in a pot on the porch here in NE Iowa & it bloomed/ did well in the summer. It’s now inside by a big East facing window, doing well. I put ice cubes in it every 9 days or so? And surprisingly, doing great! However, I gave one to my friend and she put it in the ground, did well, then transferred it to a bucket w/o drainage and kind of forgot about it. She went to Florida for the winter, so I tried to save it by re-potting it and keeping it inside. It wilted. I read that you can cut it in half and store in a cool place w/ low light to go dormant. They didn’t specify how cool. Like, could I put it in my garage when it’s -5 outside! And it’ll go dormant til the spring? Any advice much appreciated. It would be fun to save it for my friend!
I don’t think it will survive in the garage. But kudos to you for trying to save your friend’s plant and for keeping yours going indoors.
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.
maybe due to watering on cloudy days or late in the day/evening.
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’m considering planting two popcorn plant in a pot. Will it grow as an annual or a perennial here in Las Vegas?
Good question! We’re focus on all things northern gardening (Zones 3, 4, 5) so Vegas is out of our wheelhouse. Try researching what USDA Hardiness Zone you live in – if it’s within the growing zones of popcorn plant, you can grow it in the ground as a perennial (lucky duck!). Otherwise, you can enjoy it as an annual for one beautiful season.
Where I got mine the Amish gentleman told me he planted his outside all summer, dug up in late fall cutting back roots and putting in pots. He pruned almost all leaves off and cutting stems off and cut off some height. I seen them and they are doing well. He puts them in green house for winter and replants in spring. This is my first time learning experience for me.
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!
Hello I have a popcorn plant outside that is very tall and I am afraid it mite die due to the cold I thinks its too tall and big to bring inside dont have a pot big enough to hold it. Its starting to get cold out here I am in Maryland please help me save my plant.what do I do
Trim back roots and plant then pot up and bring inside
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.
First time grower in Kentucky and mine didn’t bloom last year, but I kept it in a pot and placed it under a plant light over the winter. Just put it in the ground today as it has started to flower and is over 3 feet tall.
I have collected a bunch of seed from my plant. I tried to get them to germinate but was not successful. I did soak them. I have more to try but wondered if you had any other tips.
Thank you!
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:
This will be my first try with the popcorn plant. Saw first one at the gardens in Madison, wi. The smell of popcorn led me to it.
Where can I purchase plant in mpls area
I’ve seen them at Mother Earth Gardens in Minneapolis, but they would be at many garden center. You may want to call ahead to ensure they have them.
I bought mine at the big farmers market in Minneapolis
Sunnyside Gardens in Linden Hills carries them but get there early because they go fast.
Why don’t my leaves smell? The stem has a faint scent. But nothing from the leaves!
Laura — Perceptions of the smell vary from person to person — some people think the plant smells like a wet dog, for instance. Perhaps the plant will develop more of a scent as the year goes on.
You have to run your fingers over the leaves to release the scent.
Our Popcorn plant just started to bloom. Looks very cool, real right yellow! This is the first year I’ve noticed the plant at the west Michigan garden centers.
How long does it take the seeds to germinate?
My first popcorn plant. Bought it at 4 “, it’s 3 ft tall now. I live in south Jersey. It looks like a beautiful corn plant now, but from what I am reading, it will soon have yellow flowers and kernels. This is what I was curious about. When and where the kernels develop?
My husband x fertilized this year and I added sprinkle miracle grow. It’s also been very humid and plenty hot weather.
Those seem like the 3 requirements, and water. I can’t wait to see what happens. My daughter- in law, and granddaughter touched it,
So I said, wash hands, but apparently , u can’t ” eat” green parts, so it’s ok .
Any more info would be great
Thank you, Lisa stein west creek, nj
I love popcorn cassia for it’s scent and unique growth habit. It’s easy to grow from seed but my plants don’t produce many seed pods. I have beautiful foliage and flowers all summer long. Plenty of water and fertilizer. My small back yard gets plenty of sun and heat that it loves. Any ideas?
Did you plant in the ground or container? If in ground will it come back next year?
In ground at our State Fair garden and it will not come back. It’s an annual in Minnesota.
Anyone have luck with propagation from cuttings?
This unique beautiful plant has been the highlight of my summer garden! ($1.78 for a small pot before the greenhouse closed) Everyone is amazed by the delicious buttered-popcorn smell! It’s been fun to watch the leaves close in the evening (like the “prayer plant”) or when it wants water.… So I think this plant can talk too!
Hi we live in southern Ontario, Canada.
We’re given a popcorn plant and it’s done very well. My question is has anyone tried cutting it back in the fall and covering it up to see if it will come back in the spring/summer next year?
Hi Sheila! I grew one last year in a flower pot and then tried to save it through winter in a small greenhouse. It did not make it, it’s such a tender plant when it comes to cold temps. When it got down to 35 degrees that’s when it started to look pretty rough. This year I have two more that I grew again in flower pots, both grew to 8ft tall and I have brought them into our garage for the winter. They are in a protected place. They have started to lose their leaves, which they say is normal, just cut back on the watering slightly as it goes dormant for the winter. Then water sparingly. So long as the stems stay green and pliable, it’s alive and can be brought out in the spring when temps warm up again. Keep in a shaded place when temps are warmer during the day, then bring back in at night if they drop below 40 degrees. It will send out new shoots of leaves and you can start to move it back into the sun. With regular watering and fertilizer, it will be blooming soon after. Both popcorn plants have done very well in the garage when we hit cold temps this last week. Hope this helps and hope yours makes it through the winter months! 🙂
Have you ever cut yours down? Mine is about 6 feet tall right now, but there is a lot of stem/trunk to it. I have a new shoot coming off of the bottom as well. I am wondering if I should transplant that shoot or leave it? My huge pot doesn’t hardly seem huge enough anymore.
I just saw a picture of the popcorn plant & live in London, Ontario, where could I find one? Did your’s over winter?
I’m not sure what’s available in Ontario. These are often found at nicer nurseries in Minnesota so I’d start at a good garden center with more unusual plants in your area. These are annuals in Minnesota.
Can you be allergic to this plant? The smell is overpowering and will have to move it out of my sewing room…makes me sneeze and my throat tingle.
Yes, it’s always possible to be allergic to a plant. In Minnesota, popcorn plant is usually grown outside in summer. Having it in a closed space might be why you are reacting. Hope you feel better soon!
I live in NE Iowa and bought my popcorn cassia when it was 6″ tall. 2 months later, it has flourished and is 2 ft. tall with one bloom pod developing and opening gradually. I will try to winter it inside the house when temps drop but my concern is how many branches it has put out. I would like to prune back the bottom limbs that extend nearly as long as it is tall, but realize now (July 4th) isn’t an ideal time for pruning. If the growth continues in our hot, humid Iowa summer, it will be nearly too big to bring into the house to over-winter. Can/should I prune back some of the limbs (maybe those with no blossom pods) now? This is my first experience with a popcorn cassia and was not expecting it to grow so fast, but am totally enjoying the process.
I would not prune it now. Maybe wait until you bring it in in the fall. Let us know how it does.
I have received this gift 7 days ago. I positioned it, still in pot, in a spot that gets 6 hrs direct sun, water it daily, but my leaves are getting yellow spots ( like a rash )… growing new solid green ones, so what should I do?
I bought 2 popcorn plants, each about 18 ” in May. Gave 1 away, it arrived with 5 blossoms, since, no new blossoms and grew very little. The 2nd one I kept, planted in the ground, almost full sun, gets fed, watered regularly. The main shoot is about 5 1/2 feet with 5 secondary branches, each about 4 feet. There is absolutely NO sign of any blossoms to be had. It is now mid August. It does however attract bees of some sort, lots of them.. How do I get the yellow blossoms and why so many bees, I do not want bees. I am in Eden Prairie MN.
Not sure what website means for fill in the blanks…..
Same! I’m in Roseville (mn) and my popcorn plant is 5 ft tall, and 5 ft wide. It’s very lush, full, and healthy – but hasn’t bloomed once!
It’s in sun all day, is watered regularly, and fed about 5 times since May. I used a slow release Miracle-Gro Organic fertilizer after planting. Then bone meal, then chicken manure, then Coast of Maine Buds & Blooms, and then Miracle-Gro Bloom Booster (about 2 weeks ago).
So, I have bees, as well, but ever since spring, it has had dozens and dozens of ANTS!! It’s like an ant hi-rise. There is an ant at every intersection, leaf, level, like they all have their own “spot”. They seem to frantically eat something off the orangish/yellowish papery sheaths (or whatever they are called). It’s like they’re getting high off the oil, or something!
There are – what look like – tiny 1/4 in flower buds running along each long stalk. I picked one off and split it open, and it looked good to me. Not dried out, or anything. I’ve wondered if the ants are damaging or stunting these buds, somehow. Or maybe these aren’t flower buds, at all!
Ants freaking ants . I have mine in full AM sun . It grew 4′ this season. I’m going to move into a container for the winter. Good luck.
Our popcorn plant is 4.5 feet tall and same in width. We’re in Windsor Essex County in Ontario Canada by Lake Erie. We love the plant, everyone loves how it smells.
Cold and more room to overwinter. I really don’t have room in my garage not to mention the size 5 plus ft tall and wide. Bllomed and smells really cool so living in SE Iowa I take it I’m going to loose it to the cold aren’t I?
What should I do just cut it down , fig it up n burn it ? Can I get seeds from it if so how. It’s mid Oct n just starting to get high 40s in evening. Also is it smart to plant another in same hole next spring if I find one. I bought this last day flourish was open and it was maybe 1 stalk 2.5ft tall?
When do I take the seed pods off of my popcorn plants? Should it be done before the first frost in Ohio?
Yes, though growing from seed can be tricky. Here’s a good article on popcorn plant https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/popcorn-cassia-senna-cassia-didymobotrya/
I live in the southern Piedmont area of NC (7b-8a), and was gifted a “Popcorn plant”. It is always a joy to see surprised faces when they touch the foliage. While in the ground, the plant did great, but when I transferred to a pot, not so good. Still growing but not as strong and never has bloomed (3 yrs). Can I replant on the ground but protected or do I keep bringing inside Dec-March?. Thank you for your advise.
My neighbor’s rabbit ate some of her popcorn cassia plant a couple days ago. I would like more information about the effects of the poison.
Is it a fast acting poison or a slow acting poison? The rabbit ate several branches and chewed on the bark of the plant.
What are the effects or symptoms of the poison? If the rabbit was affected by the poison, shouldn’t there be some sign of it by now?
Wish I could upload a picture. I have my 2nd popcorn plant that is doing extremely well. The first one (had it for about 3 years) did extremely well also until my husband decided to have it cut back way too far just before winter. Although we live in Phoenix, AZ the winters can still get below freezing quite a few nights and the 1st one didn’t make it. My daughter gave me another one as a gift and it is currently about 15′ high with a whole lot of beautiful flowers. The bees love them as does the yellow sulfur butterfly. When the caterpillars emerge they don’t eat the leaves…they only eat the flowers. They change colors from green to yellow to black striped yellow and their chrysalis are all colors from green to blue to pink. Just beautiful. They grow so fast. I have it cut back to 4-5 feet a couple times a year or it would be the only plant visible in my back yard and I have a lot of other vegetation. But the popcorn plant is by far the most popular with anyone who sees it.
My popcorn plant got hit hard by wind couple days in a row and unfortunately I wasn’t here to protect. All branches are now dropped down. Will they stand back up? Anything I can do to save my favorite plant
I just bought a popcorn plant for my birthday and am excited to start caring for it. I’m probably going to keep it in a container to make it easier to bring inside. You say to water and fertilize on a regular schedule. What would you consider a regular schedule and what would be the best kind of fertilizer to use so I don’t kill it? Any advice would be appreciated.
Hi Deborah, we suggest reaching out to Minnesota’s Master Gardener Hotline at (612) 301-7590 to learn more. They will research and return your call, generally within 2-3 days.
I planted in the may 2023 and this plant has gotten to 5 feet tall. Beautiful flowers and the smell is of buttered popcorn. I am hoping to find this next year.