🌽 Corn: Growing Guide
Corn (Zea mays) grows best in full sun with moderate watering, and does well at 16–35 °C (61–95 °F) in soil with a pH of 5.8–7.0. Space plants about 30 cm (12 in) apart. Expect 60–100 days.
Quick facts
| Scientific name | Zea mays |
|---|---|
| Category | Vegetables |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Watering | Moderate |
| Plant spacing | 30 cm (12 in) |
| Soil pH | 5.8–7.0 |
| Comfortable temperature | 16–35 °C (61–95 °F) |
| Time to maturity | 60–100 days |
| Sowing depth | 4 cm (1.6 in) |
| Height | 150–300 cm (59–118 in) |
When to sow, plant and harvest
The calendar below shows the best months in each climate zone. Pick the zone closest to your garden.
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean | Sow | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | |||||||
| Continental | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||||
| Oceanic | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||||
| Subtropical | Sow | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | |||
| Tropical | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | ||||
| Cold / Northern | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||||
| Arid / Semi-arid | Sow | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Sow | Plant out | Harvest |
- Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Sow: Apr · Plant out: May–Jun · Harvest: Jul–Aug.
- Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Sow: May · Plant out: Jun · Harvest: Jul–Aug.
- Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Sow: May · Plant out: Jun · Harvest: Jul–Aug.
- Subtropical (Southern US, N. Africa, Middle East): Sow: Jan, Aug · Plant out: Feb–Mar, Sep · Harvest: Apr–May, Oct–Nov.
- Tropical (SE Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Amazon): Plant out: Jan–Feb, Jul–Aug · Harvest: Mar–Apr, Sep–Oct.
- Cold / Northern (Scandinavia, Canada, Russia, Alpine): Sow: Jun · Plant out: Jul · Harvest: Aug–Sep.
- Arid / Semi-arid (Arabian Peninsula, inland Australia): Sow: Feb, Sep · Plant out: Mar–Apr, Oct · Harvest: May, Nov.
Watering
Water about every 3 days in summer and about every 8 days in winter. Water generously during flowering.
Growing tips
Plant in blocks for good pollination. Part of the "Three Sisters" with beans and squash.
Good companion plants
These plants grow well alongside it:
Common pests and problems
Frequently asked questions
Corn: when should I sow and plant it?
Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Sow: Apr · Plant out: May–Jun · Harvest: Jul–Aug. Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Sow: May · Plant out: Jun · Harvest: Jul–Aug. Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Sow: May · Plant out: Jun · Harvest: Jul–Aug.
Corn: how often should I water it?
Water about every 3 days in summer and about every 8 days in winter. Water generously during flowering.
Corn: how far apart should I plant it?
Plant about 30 cm (12 in) apart and sow at a depth of about 4 cm (1.6 in).
Corn: how long does it take to grow?
Plan on 60–100 days.
Corn: which plants grow well with it?
Bean, Zucchini.
Corn: which pests and problems should I watch for?
Corn borer, Aphids.
Plan your garden
Add Corn to your garden design in the free GardenXPro planner: drag plants onto a 2D plan, preview it in 3D, check companions and get watering reminders.
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