Popcorn Plant

Want a plant that has it all? Size, color contrast, scent, texture? Cassia Popcorn will knock your socks off with its bright yellow flowers popping out from clusters of black buds held above St. John’s-wort-like foliage. Seriously! And when you brush the flower buds, it emits a scent reminiscent of buttered popcorn! What a fun plant to include in your specimen garden.rIf you have a large area in your annual or perennial garden, this is the plant to have. Native to regions of Africa, Zones 9a to 11b, this plant can be yours to enjoy in Zones 3-8 as an early summer to fall annual. Growing up to 4 feet tall and 4 feet wide, this showstopper will shoot up one foot yellow flowering spires above the green pinnate foliage that will bring a taste of the tropics to your garden.rPopcorn Cassia Plant CarerEasy to grow, it has a few requirements for an outstanding display. It is a heavy feeder, requiring regular fertilizer, and frequent watering. It is highly frost intolerant, so plant it out after all danger of frost has passed. It requires a slightly acid to neutral soil pH, about 5.8 to 6.2, and well drained rich soil. Think compost amended sandy loam or clay here. It loves hot humid summer weather and should be planted in a full sun location.rDeadheading is recommended, especially in warm winter locations where cassia blooms nearly year round. It will reseed readily, so trimming flower spikes just above the leaves will help control the spread. In cold winter regions, deadheading will help encourage reblooming. If you plant this in a container, you can bring it indoors before the first frost. It is relatively pest and deer resistant, and bees, butterflies and hummingbirds will be regular visitors to your garden.rPopcorn Cassia Plant SpacingrProper garden planning is crucial as cassia planted as an annual will require 2 to 4 foot spacing between plantings. In warm winter regions, this plant can sometimes reach 25 feet in height and become a woody tree. Keeping it pruned regularly will help curb this expansive growth, just prune about a leaf set for best form and shape. Cassia Popcorn would make an excellent addition to a children’s garden where it will be a delight. What a great way to introduce children to gardening!rPopcorn Cassia Plant InformationrrrrrUSDA Hardiness Zones: 9-11rrrFlower Color(s): Shades of YellowrrrBloom Period: Early Summer to FallrrrFoliage Color(s): Dark GreenrrrExposure: Full SunrrrHeight: 4-5 Feet TallrrrSpread: 4-5 Feet WiderrrSpacing: 4-5 Feet Center on CenterrrrHabit: UprightrrrWatering: Average moisturerrrResistance: RabbitsrrrAttracts: Butterflies, HummingbirdsrrrScientific Name: Cassia didymobotrya ‘Popcorn’rrrCommon Name: Popcorn Plant