Corn plants, or Zea mays, are annual plants in the grass family Poaceae that are widely cultivated for their edible grain. They can reach up to 10 feet tall and have a single, thick green stem. They have alternate, long, narrow leaves with pointed tips and a yellow tassel at the top. The flowers are small and green, and the ears of corn develop from the tassel. Corn plants are wind-pollinated and are typically planted in rows. They require full sun and fertile, well-drained soil to grow and thrive.
Planning Your Garden With Corn
As you plan your garden, it's important to think about the spacing, size, light, and nutrient requirements of all of your plant and how they'll grow together.
Some plants require more water than others, while other plants require dry soil. At the same time, some plants prefer full sun, and other plants need the shade to survive.
By studying what each plant requires and planning ahead where all of your plants will grow best, you can optimize your garden space.
| Life Cycle | Corn is an annual plant. |
| USDA Zone | The USDA Hardiness Zone range for corn is 3-10. |
| Cold Tolerance | Corn is a relatively cold-tolerant crop, and can tolerate temperatures as low as 28. However, it is best suited to warmer climates. |
| Days to harvest | The minimum number of days to harvest for corn is usually around 60-90 days, depending on the variety. |
| Average size | The average size of a full grown corn plant is between 8 and 12 feet tall. |
| Spacing requirements | The best spacing for growing corn is 30-36 inches between rows and 8-12 inches between plants. |
| Sun tolerance | Corn is a crop that is tolerant to full sun, meaning it needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day to thrive. |
| Shade tolerance | Corn is a crop that is tolerant to a wide range of light conditions. It can be grown in full sun, partial shade, or even full shade. However, corn does best when grown in full sun and will yield the highest yields when grown in this condition. |
| Water requirements | For optimal corn growth, the soil should be kept evenly moist but not overly saturated. Watering should be done when the top 1-2 inches of soil is dry. Depending on the weather, corn may need to be watered 1-2 times per week. A good rule of thumb is to provide at least 1 inch of water per week. |
| Fertilizer | The amount of fertilizer used when growing corn depends on the soil type, the variety of corn, and the desired yield. Generally, a rate of 1 to 2 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet is recommended. |
| Soil pH | The optimum pH for growing corn is between 6.0 and 6.8. |
Why Corn is Popular
People like to grow corn because it is a versatile crop that can be used for a variety of purposes. Corn is a staple in many diets, providing a source of nutrition and flavor. It can also be used for animal feed, fuel, and industrial products. Growing corn is relatively easy, and the crop yields high returns.
Companion Plants For Corn
Companion planting is a great way to maximize your garden space and get the most out of your plants. By planting certain plants together, you can help each other thrive. In some cases, you can even help each other repel pests.
Popular companion plants for corn include:
Common Pests For Corn
Plant pests are a common problem for gardeners. By understanding what pests are common for your plants, you can take steps to prevent them from damaging your plants.
When you grow corn, keep an eye out for these common pests:
- flea beetles
- aphids
- corn rootworms
- corn borers
- beetles
- cutworms
USDA Zones
USDA zones are a popular way of determining which plants can grow in your area. Zones tell you when your average first and last frost date are, as well as how cold you can expect it to get in the winter.
Our site works best if you choose your zone from the list below. If you do not know your USDA zone, then you can use our zone map.
