Strawberry Popcorn 'Erdbeermais' - Zea mays var. everta

Strawberry Popcorn 'Erdbeermais' – a historic variety with compact red ears and a decorative character. 

This variety is a robust, early to mid‑early maturing popcorn maize with characteristically red, compact ears and traditionally aromatic popcorn. The plants remain relatively short, grow upright, and are well suited to outdoor cultivation. Open‑pollinated, reliable, and versatile – ideal for self‑sufficiency and organic growing.

  Origin & History

‘Strawberry Popcorn’ is an open‑pollinated popcorn maize whose name derives from its small, compact, intensely red ears that resemble strawberries in both shape and color. Botanically, the variety belongs to the family Poaceae (the grasses), subfamily Panicoideae, and the genus Zea. It originates from historic North American popcorn lines, where colored popcorn varieties have been cultivated for centuries and count among the oldest known maize types. In U.S. seed catalogues, ‘Strawberry Popcorn’ appears as early as the early 20th century as a short‑growing, multi‑eared heirloom variety valued for its decorative ears and aromatic popcorn.

The characteristic ear shape of ‘Strawberry Popcorn’ and its deep red coloration quickly made the variety a popular choice for home gardens and small farms. Its modest plant height, the ability to produce several ears per plant, and its reliable maturity even in shorter summers contributed to its spread. Traditionally, it was used both for popcorn production and for decorative purposes, as the dried ears stand out due to their intense color and compact form.

Today, ‘Strawberry Popcorn’ is regarded as a historic popcorn variety that is cultivated and preserved for its genetic stability, striking appearance, and versatile use. Its decorative character, early to mid‑early maturity, and robust adaptability have helped ensure that it continues to be grown as a distinctive popcorn rarity in many regions.

  Appearance & Characteristics

The plants grow compactly and reach about 100-150 cm in height. They tiller readily and can therefore produce several small ears per plant. The variety shows robust growth and good adaptability to sunny, nutrient‑rich sites. Not winter‑hardy – it dies back in frost.

Ear details:

• Size: Small and compact, cobs approx. 8-10 cm long

• Shape: Strawberry‑shaped to conical, densely filled

• Color: Bright red to deep red

• Texture: Hard and glassy – ideal for popping

• Flavor: Aromatic, slightly nutty – with a traditional popcorn character

 Usage & Cultivation Highlights

The kernels of ‘Strawberry Popcorn’ are excellent for making popcorn – once popped, they develop a nutty, aromatic flavor. The dried ears are also highly decorative and are often used for autumn arrangements, wreaths, and table displays. The popcorn can be prepared traditionally in a pan or in a popcorn maker and can be seasoned sweet or salty. It is ideal for movie nights, as a snack on the go, or as an ingredient in homemade muesli mixes. The decorative ears can be dried and used for years as natural ornaments. In addition, the kernels can be processed into popcorn flour or coarse grits, which can be used in baked goods, bars, or as a crunchy topping. The small red ears are also popular in natural crafts, seasonal DIY projects, and as sustainable gift decorations.

‘Strawberry Popcorn’ matures early to mid‑early and produces several well‑filled ears. It thrives in mixed cultivation, especially in the traditional Three Sisters bed with beans and squash. It also shows strong tolerance to heat and temporary drought. Even in variable summers, the variety grows reliably. Its compact growth makes it ideal for smaller gardens, less prone to wind damage, and easy to harvest. The plants quickly form a closed stand, stabilizing the microclimate and ensuring even ripening and drying of the ears. With sufficiently warm soil, ‘Erdbeermais’ germinates quickly and grows evenly, simplifying cultivation. Its strong standability reduces the risk of lodging, and its high pollen reliability ensures well‑filled ears even under unfavorable weather conditions. Thanks to its early maturity, the variety is particularly suitable for regions with shorter growing seasons and delivers dependable yields even in small beds.

Compared to modern hybrid popcorn varieties, ‘Strawberry Popcorn’ stands out for its robustness, open‑pollinated nature, decorative value, and traditional flavor – ideal for enthusiasts of historic varieties with distinctive red ears.