Summer greenery from popcorn kernels—even a “lazy gardener” can make this work!

A new favorite plant of “lazy gardeners”

“I saw the idea online and wanted to give it a try. My goal was to grow tall, bushy plants in front of the pavilion.”

I sowed the popcorn kernels directly into outdoor pots in mid-June, without soaking or pre-germinating them. I used popcorn kernels meant for stovetop popping. I covered the soil surface completely with seeds, then added a bit more soil on top and watered.

Piia Kangas was very pleased with her corn experiment: the popcorn kernels grew easily into lush, low-maintenance bushes. Photo: Piia Kangas

I kept the pots in a sunny, wind-sheltered spot by the house wall. I watered them whenever I walked by. If I recall correctly, the seedlings came up in about two weeks. After that, they grew quickly and stayed beautiful all summer. I didn’t do anything else besides water them.

I’m definitely going to plant the same thing again this coming summer. It’ll be an annual project for sure. The corn plants looked spectacular and needed very little care. I’m really not a gardener—just lazy with plant care—so I’m sure this will work for absolutely anyone.

I haven’t tried using corn as Easter grass yet, but I might give it a go. Ryegrass [in Finnish], barley and pea shoots are what we grow at Easter.” -Piia Kangas, Seinäjoki

Easy ornamental grasses

Tanja sowed corn kernels densely in a planter box because she wanted a lush cluster of decorative grass. Photo: Tanja Turtiainen

“A year ago, I grew Easter grass from store-bought popcorn kernels. When the grass started getting tall, I wondered if they would look just as good outdoors in the summer. They did indeed become lovely ornamental grasses.”

I sowed the kernels directly into a planter box outside, if I recall correctly, using peat-based soil. I wasn’t aiming for a corn harvest, just easy, abundant ornamental grasses. I didn’t fertilize at all during the summer; I only watered regularly.

I plan to plant corn again this summer in my container garden or in a box as ornamental grasses.” -Tanja Turtiainen, Espoo

Again this year, Tanja sowed her Easter grass from popcorn kernels. “I planted these a couple of days ago and have been watering them regularly. I didn’t soak the seeds. It’s so easy!” Photo: Tanja Turtiainen

Corn cobs ripe enough to taste

From her Easter corn arrangement, Tarja Holopainen separated a few sturdy-looking shoots and moved them aside for continued growth. Photo: Tarja Holopainen

In early summer, Tarja planted the pre-germinated corn in the greenhouse. Over the course of the summer, they grew into impressive stalks that also developed ears. Photo: Tarja Holopainen

“Last Easter, I tried growing corn as an ornamental grass. The Easter grass just kept getting taller, and I wanted to see how it would do in the greenhouse over the summer.”

I separated a few of the sturdier stalks from the Easter grass arrangement and pre-germinated them. In early June, I planted them in the new greenhouse in ordinary garden soil. I watered the corn as I did my other plants, though they probably received a bit less water and fertilizer.

The stalks grew well, and each produced a couple of ears. I tried to help them pollinate by shaking pollen onto a plate and then transferring it to the “silks” of each ear. Apparently, it worked, because we got some ears. We even ate the biggest one.

I plan to continue my corn experiment this coming summer. Now I’m going to plant them outside by the fence, because the greenhouse just wasn’t tall enough.” -Tarja Holopainen, Kuopio

Here’s the corn Tarja ate. “The ear wasn’t fully developed. I might have been a bit impatient. The flavor wasn’t as good as the pre-cooked corn from the store, but it was still edible.” Photo: Tarja Holopainen

Tarja’s corn plants produced plenty of ears. Photo: Tarja Holopainen

Read also: Growing corn requires an early variety and a warm spot—read our guide [in Finnish]