Sweet Corn
Zea mays saccharata
Family: Poaceae
Sweet Corn grows in full sun and prefers well-drained fertile soil. Water needs: Moderate.
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How to Grow Sweet Corn
Sweet Corn growing information includes sunlight requirements of Full sun, soil conditions listed as Well-drained fertile soil with a soil pH of 5.8-7.0, and Moderate water needs. The listed hardiness zones are 3-11. For propagation reference, the database lists germination or establishment information for Sweet Corn as 4-10 days, with planting or establishment depth listed as 1-2 inches. Days to maturity are listed as 60-100 days.
Plant Overview
Sweet Corn (Zea mays saccharata) is listed in the Poaceae family and categorized as a vegetable with an annual life cycle. This profile summarizes growing information for hardiness, light, soil, water, seed starting, maturity, and other available cultivation details. Difficulty is listed as Beginner.
- Plant ID
- PLT-0020
- Family
- Poaceae
- Plant type
- Vegetable
- Life cycle
- Annual
- Alternate names
- Sweetcorn
- Growth habit
- Tall upright warm-season grass
- Mature height
- Approximately 4-8 ft depending on cultivar
- Mature spread
- Approximately 1-2 ft per plant
- Difficulty
- Beginner
Growing Conditions
Sweet Corn is listed for full sun conditions. Water needs are listed as moderate. The database soil reference is Well-drained fertile soil. The listed soil pH range is 5.8-7.0, and the listed hardiness range is 3-11.
- Hardiness zones
- 3-11
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil
- Well-drained fertile soil
- Soil pH
- 5.8-7.0
- Water needs
- Moderate
- Plant spacing
- 8-12 inches; plant in blocks for better pollination
Seed & Germination
For seed starting, the listed germination time is 4-10 days and the seed depth is 1-2 inches. The listed time to maturity is 60-100 days. Use these values as general reference points and adjust for local climate, seed source, and growing conditions.
- Germination
- 4-10 days
- Germination temperature
- About 60-95°F
- Seed depth
- 1-2 inches
- Sowing method
- Direct sow after soil has warmed; corn generally does not need transplanting
Harvest & Propagation
- Days to maturity
- 60-100 days
- Harvest
- Harvest ears when kernels are plump and milky and silks have browned
- Propagation
- Primarily by seed
- Pollination
- Wind-pollinated; block planting improves kernel set
Garden Information
- Common pests
- Corn earworms, armyworms, cutworms and corn borers
- Common diseases
- Common rust, northern corn leaf blight and smut
- Uses
- Fresh eating, cooking, grilling, freezing and preserving
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Growing Reference Note
Plant performance can vary with climate, soil, weather, cultivar, seed quality, and gardening methods. The values on this page are general database reference ranges rather than a substitute for local extension guidance or seed-packet instructions.