Squirrel Corn Plant Care
Dicentra canadensis (Goldie) Walp.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Dicentra canadensis, the squirrel corn, is a flowering plant from eastern North America with oddly shaped white flowers and finely divided leaves.
Every 7–10 days
Partial to full shade
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Squirrel Corn?
Water Squirrel Corn every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it partial to full shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
What Is the Squirrel Corn?
Squirrel Corn (Dicentra canadensis) belongs to the Papaveraceae family within the Dicentra genus. Squirrel Corn is also known as Turkey Corn.
Squirrel Corn displays a mounding perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Squirrel Corn produces heart-shaped flowers in shades of pink, white, or red.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Squirrel Corn?
Dicentra canadensis requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Squirrel Corn Need?
Squirrel Corn thrives in partial to full shade. The optimal light range is 100–500 lux. Avoid placing Squirrel Corn in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Partial to full shade
100–500 lux
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Squirrel Corn Prefer?
Dicentra canadensis grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Squirrel Corn prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Squirrel Corn?
Rich, well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Squirrel Corn to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Squirrel Corn?
Feed Squirrel Corn every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Squirrel Corn?
Divide and replant every 3-4 years. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Squirrel Corn?
Squirrel Corn can be propagated through division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to dutchman's breeches plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Squirrel Corn Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
Toxic to humans and pets if ingested
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Squirrel Corn?
Squirrel Corn is susceptible to slugs, snails, aphids. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Squirrel Corn Need?
Squirrel Corn grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Squirrel Corn as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Squirrel Corn is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Dicentra genus — compare its care with other Dicentra species on PlantoScan.
Dicentra is part of the Papaveraceae plant family — browse all Papaveraceae genera and species.
Squirrel Corn copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Dicentra canadensis (Goldie) Walp., family Papaveraceae (first published in Repert. Bot. Syst. 1: 118 (1842)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Squirrel Corn is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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