When to Plant Popcorn in Hilo, Hawaii (96721)

Location

Hilo, Hawaii

ZIP Code

96721

USDA Zone

12b

Last Frost

Thursday, January 1, 2026

📅 Your 2026 Planting Dates

Direct Sow Outdoors

Thursday, January 15, 2026

Based on last frost Thursday, January 1, 2026 · Zone 12b

Pro tip: Sow Popcorn directly outdoors 2 weeks after your last frost date — it needs warm soil.

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🌿 Plant Details

Scientific Name Zea mays everta

Days to Maturity 100 days

Mature Height 48-84"

Spread 18"

☀️ Growing Requirements

☀️

Sun

Full Sun (6-8 hours)

💧

Water

Regular (1-2 inches/week)

↔️

Spacing

12" apart

🌱

Planting Depth

1" deep

Seeds typically germinate in 7-10 days

Ready to Plant Popcorn in Hilo?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Thursday, January 15, 2026.

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🤝 Good Companions

BeanSquashCucumber

⚠️ Avoid Planting Near

TomatoSweet Corn (cross-pollination)

🤝

Full Companion Planting Guide for Popcorn

See which plants help Popcorn thrive, which to keep away, and raised bed layout tips →

🛠️ Supplies You'll Need

🪵 Raised Garden Bed 🌍 Vegetable Garden Soil 🛠️ Hand Trowel Set 🚿 Watering Can

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🌾 Seed Saving Guide

🔴 Difficult

✅ Open-pollinated — seeds grow true to parent

When to Harvest Seed

Let ears dry completely on the stalk past frost. Kernels should be rock-hard before harvesting.

Processing

Husk dried ears, shell kernels, cure 6–8 weeks in a warm, ventilated space before sealing in containers.

Seed Viability

Up to 2 years when stored cool, dark, and dry.

Pro Tip

Wind-pollinated — requires 1000-foot isolation from sweet corn and other corn types. Under-dried popcorn won't pop.

🪴

Raised Bed Planting Guides

A 4×8 bed fits 32 plants of Popcorn. See plant counts, spacing grids, and companion pairings for every bed size →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Popcorn in Hilo, Hawaii? +

In Hilo (Zone 12b), direct sow Popcorn outdoors around Thursday, January 15, 2026.

What is the last frost date for Hilo, Hawaii? +

The average last spring frost date for Hilo, Hawaii (ZIP 96721) is around Thursday, January 1, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 12b.

How long does Popcorn take to grow? +

Popcorn typically matures in about 100 days from direct sowing. In Hilo, that means you can expect harvest around Thursday, January 15, 2026 plus 100 days.

Should I start Popcorn indoors or direct sow in Hawaii? +

Popcorn does best when direct sown outdoors. In Hilo, sow directly around Thursday, January 15, 2026.

📚 More Popcorn Planting Guides

🗺️

Popcorn in Hawaii

Zone-by-zone breakdown · Full state guide

→ 🌡️

Zone 12b Popcorn Guide

All cities in your zone · Avg dates

→

Other Plants for Hilo

Blackberry Blueberry Raspberry Strawberry Basil Chamomile Chives Cilantro Dill Lavender Lemon Balm Marjoram Mint Oregano Parsley Rosemary Sage Tarragon Thyme Acorn Squash Artichoke Arugula Asparagus Beefsteak Tomato Beet Bell Pepper Bok Choy Broccoli Brussels Sprout Butternut Squash Cabbage Cantaloupe Carrot Cauliflower Cayenne Pepper Celery Cherry Tomato Chili Pepper Collard Green Common Bean Cucumber Eggplant Endive Fennel Garlic Grape Tomato Green Bean Habanero Pepper Head Lettuce Heirloom Tomato Honeydew Melon Jalapeño Pepper Kale Kohlrabi Leaf Lettuce Leek Lima Bean Mustard Okra Onion Parsnip Pea Poblano Pepper Pole Pea Potato Pumpkin Radicchio Radish Rhubarb Roma Tomato Rutabaga Serrano Pepper Shallot Snap Pea Snow Pea Spaghetti Squash Spinach Squash Sweet Corn Sweet Potato Swiss Chard Tomato Turnip Watermelon Zucchini Sunflower Marigold Zinnia Nasturtium Cosmos Echinacea (Coneflower) Petunia Black-eyed Susan Apple Tree Pear Tree Peach Tree Plum Tree Sweet Cherry Tree Lemon Tree Borage Lemongrass Ginger Stevia Tomatillo Edamame Fava Bean Mâche Mizuna Sorrel Shishito Pepper Banana Pepper Watermelon Radish Napa Cabbage Broccoli Raab Catnip Valerian Lemon Verbena Bee Balm Anise Lovage Chervil Summer Savory Dahlia Snapdragon Pansy Sweet Pea Morning Glory Hollyhock Larkspur Bachelor Button Columbine Impatiens Salvia (Annual) Sweet Alyssum Celosia Lupine Verbena Elderberry Grape Vine Red Currant Gooseberry Serviceberry Fig Tree Avocado Tree Persimmon Tree Olive Tree

Growing Popcorn in Zone 12b

Popcorn (Zea mays everta) is a popular garden vegetable. In Hilo, Hawaii, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 12b, you should direct sow seeds around Thursday, January 15, 2026.

Your average last frost date is Thursday, January 1, 2026. Popcorn grows well when direct sown, as it doesn't transplant well or germinates quickly outdoors.