Start growing
Plant in blocks for pollination. Nitrogen heavy.
GROW SOMETHING WONDERFUL
Corn
Zea mays
Your guide to planting, growing, and getting to know this plant.
THE PLANT NOTEBOOK
Corn care, from seed onward.
- Botanical name
- Zea mays
- Common names
- Maize, Sweet Corn
- Family
- Poaceae
- Genus
- Zea
- Species
- Z. mays
Propagation
By seed.
Seasonal growth & harvest
Harvest when silks dry; milky kernels.
Growing conditions
Open plains, sunny gardens.
Weather & tolerances
Frost sensitive; needs high heat.
Pests & plant health
Corn earworm, Smut.
Plant safety
Safe grain.
Botanical features
Annual tall grass; wind-pollinated tassel.
Varieties
‘Silver Queen’, ‘Golden Bantam’.
Garden & everyday uses
Sweet corn, feed, popcorn, oil
Native range & distribution
Mexico origins; now global grain leader.
Conservation
Global priority seed banks.
Name origins
Spanish ‘maíz’, Taino origins.
History
Domesticated from Teosinte 9,000 years ago.
Grow corn in a cup.
Seed Germination Kit
Sweet Corn Seed Starter Grow Kit
USD 10.99
Currently unavailable
Zea mays var. saccharata
7-14 daysView kit →